In fulfillment of a long-held NPP campaign pledge, the Akufo-Addo government has begun the process of implementing a comprehensive national identification project to build a database of Ghanaians and other nationals resident in Ghana.
At a broad consultative meeting chaired by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, all the major stakeholders, including the Births and Deaths Registry (BDR), National Identification Authority (NIA), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ghana Revenue Authority and National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) underscored the need to have a single national database to aid policy planning and implementation.
Also in attendance were officials from the Ministry of Finance, Minister designate for Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Electoral Commission (EC), Driver Vehicle and Licence Authority (DVLA), Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GHIPSS) and industry experts.
The National Identification project is expected to be completed within the first year of the NPP administration, in fulfillment of a manifesto pledge to complete the registration of all residents in Ghana under the National Identification Scheme, thereby establishing an integrated Data Warehouse of databases from key public institutions, using the National Identification System as the unique identifier for data items, and automating the processes involved in accessing public services at both national and local government offices.
The NPP government is convinced the National ID scheme would help formalize the economy through the establishment of a national database, using the National Identification System as the primary identifier, with linkages to the databases of institutions such as the Police, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Passport Office, Immigration, Courts, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
Addressing the representatives of the key stakeholders, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia noted that there has been too much talk around the issue of national ID cards but very little effective action or results even though $50 million has been spent on the project since 2009.
A single national ID system would, amongst others, track immunization of children and health care of citizens, issue drivers licenses and passports linked to digital identity registry, eliminate ghost names from the civil service payroll, and reduce cost of maintaining multiple Identity databases, the Vice President stated.
Four Committees – Legal, Technical, Financial and Oversight – to shepherd the project.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Kudos Mr Vice (WISE) President! I could NOT comprehend as a nation of about 27m can NOT have just natioal ID whereas South Korea with over 56m with the same size of land can. Though it's overdue I hope and pray Akufo-Addo led govt will do the do. LONG LIVE NANA ADDO-BAWUMIA, LONG LIVE NPP AND SUPPORTERS, LONG LIVE GHANA
Infact, today is my happiest moment since NPP came into power. I have always trust Bawumia's office will do the magic unlike that of the Nana's. This will be the biggest and most loudable policy for every well meaning Ghanaian. Now we can comfortable track businesses, individuals, organizations evading taxes and committing crimes.
We voted wisely !! In fact we have always voted wisely . Just that this time around the ***barred word*** did not have his way !!! I feel warmth in my heart !!
Proud to be Ghanaian, however, in as much as most Ghanaians seem to be in favour of this good move, my only prayer is for the good Lord to grant the Committee the needed grace and strength to soldier on to completion. Thanks
Good job vp Barwumiah you said this when you came to toronto,and now you started the process green card for everyone.
I am overly happy, if not for anything,for the fact that only Ghanaians will from 2020 be voting in national elections. The c0rrupt EC has had it's way for so long a time; now the National ID will ensure that only Ghanaians will vote. The era of compiling ECOWAS register to the advantage of NDC is over!!! Nana is poised to right all the wrongs we have endured over the past several years. Come to think of it, I remember, I was approached by some registration agents in 2011 and 2015 to register me to vote in the US elections and I strongly declined. Hahahaha. How can a non-US citizen like me risk landing my self in jail, knowing very well that the elections were for US citizens alone. Just keying in my particulars in their database would just reveal all information about me. So, I did not understand why Charlotte Osei covertly and overtly wanted foreigners to participate in the 2016 elections. The paradox of the issue is that, when she was a student in Canada, she never ventured to vote in Canada elections, because she knew the consequences of it. Similarly, her family who now resides in New Jersey State, here in US did not attempt to vote in the 2016 elections. I PROPOSE A PROBE INTO THE OPERATIONS OF EC!!!
Great job. please we will need more information on how we citizens outside the country can take part.
Good effort and good beginning. Ghana will work again indeed.After completion,no more registration exercise,luck of security in banking sector is thing of the past. Interest rate will fall. Simple work for statistics service
now no border- crossing voting. we've got all the details of the Togolese Baukinabes.Good job done serious people. God bless Ghana,God bless Npp.
God bless you and the NPP.