The Minority in Parliament has announced a boycott of the registration of Members of Parliament (MP) for the national ID cards citing legal, procurement and cost concerns.
In a statement signed and issued by the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu said the National Identification Authority (NIA) has not been honest with Ghanaians over the cost of the project with two figures - $1.4billion and $293 million, - according to reports.
The registration exercise is a key government initiative to collect data for economic planning purposes and also to formalise the economy.
PRESS STATEMENT BY MINORITY IN PARLIAMENT ON REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT UNDER NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SCHEME
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has taken note of an announcement that the National Identification Authority(NIA), will be carrying out a registration exercise in Parliament tomorrow, Monday, 11th June,2018.
We find this development very surprising for a number of reasons.
First, it was our understanding that the National Identification Authority, would engage Members of Parliament in a meeting to clarify a number of issues relating to the rollout of the exercise.
This meeting was duly advertised in the Business Statement at least twice only to be postponed again this time indefinitely when the Business Statement was read by the Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh last Friday the 8th of June, 2018. We still have no indication when this crucial meeting will be held.
Second, significant questions remain about the cost, scope and legality of the project as well as registration requirements.
With regards to the cost of the project, the leadership of the NIA, has been less than candid with the people of Ghana.
Whereas documents available to us show that the total project cost is $1.4 billion which can be broken down into $1,221,476,123 actual cost and tax exemption of $176 million, the Chief Executive Officer of the NIA, Prof Ken Attafuah, is on record as saying it will cost $ 293 million.
We are also aware that despite the provision of Government support by the Akufo-Addo government in respect of revenue projections for the project, this has not been brought to Parliament for approval in accordance with Ghanaian Law.
Furthermore, we remain opposed to the restriction of identification requirements for registration to Passports and Birth Certificates. Our analysis show that this will prevent about 23 million Ghanaians from obtaining the Ghana Card and deprive them of any benefit thereof.
We also have grave concerns about potential breaches of Procurement laws and processes.
In view of the foregoing, we are unbale to participate in the registration exercise slated for tomorrow at Parliament house. Subsequent to this statement, we will hold a comprehensive press conference on Tuesday, 12th June, 2018 to shed more light on our position and matters arising out of the National Identification project.
SIGNED
HON HARUNA IDDRISU
MINORITY LEADER AND MP FOR TAMALE SOUTH
SUNDAY, 10TH JUNE,2018
ACCRA
Source: Graphic.com.gh
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
What is the number of these nation wr3akers , this is what the are known of, boycotting everything good for the country, stay home forever and dont return
WHO CARES IF THEY BOYCOTT? THEY CAN EVEN BOYCOTT THEIR SALARIES AND EVEN THEIR WIVES AND HUSBANDS. TYELL THEM TO KISS OUR BLACK A$$$$!!!
HARUNA AND HIS MINORITY ARE LAUGHABLE. WHAT DID THEY DO WITH DOUBLE SALARY TO HELP THE NATION. DOUBLE SALARY WOULD ONLY BRIG HIGH THE CORRUPTION INDEX OF GHANA. NATIONAL CARD IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS OF AKKUFO ADDO NPP GOVERNMMENT. WELL, IT IS NOT STRANGE. NDC BOYCOTTED NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AND SEVERAL SOCIAL INTERVENTION POLICIES OF NPP IN THE PAST.
Let them continue the boycott and move on to us the citizens. We are more than prepared to register. I hope the card becomes the only source document for voting in future
NPP must change the Majority leader. He has something fishy doing with NDC Parliamentarians. Kyei Mensah Bonsu has outlived his usefulness in Parliament. NDC MPs have taken over the entire Parliament and dictating for the majority. How come! How come!! Pampering these MPs who took double salary. Having the gust to complaint about Nyantakyi's issue. Apuuuuuuuuuu. Lame majority leader. Unnecessary pampering. Cheappp. NPP faithfuls please join me to mount pressure on government to change Kyei mensa Bonsu. If you share tis view with me let me know because i can take it up.
Mr. Prez. you're pampering the (NDC MPS) that is why they are Misbehaving.Please what is happening to the "DOUBLE SALARY" mps.?CID help us to prosecute them.
So these NDC people will allways have negative things to say about anything good that happens in Ghana ok they should continue ,even when oil was discovered they said it was ADJONGO
And just as in all other countries who have the national ID cards, Ghana’s ID card will form the basis for the future qualification for the voter ID card. Without that you cannot vote, period.
These people never give up thinking that we are all s-t-u-p-id.Even in opposition they still want to have a Ghana card that all manner of aliens can have access to No way The voter ID cards and NHIS cards should never be allowed .If the minority Mps do not wish to register, that's fine the NIA should simply move on and register Ghanaians who are ready to be registered.
Are the leaders of the minority N D C telling us that most of them as well as their supporters are not Ghanaians? They may humbly resign and go to their proper countries. If we have over 23 million people in the country who are not from this country then they must all be repatriated for the rest to enjoy the resources of the land.