Policy Advisor of the Progressive People’s Party, Kofi Asamoah Siaw has chided minority in Parliament for actions they describe as attempts to bastardize the registration process of the National Identification card.

The National Identification Authority on 28th May, 2018 announced the commencement of registration of the public to acquire the Ghana Card but eventually begun the process first week in June. Having made the announcement, the authority indicated that the only identity documents that would be required for the purpose of registering for and obtaining the Ghana Card were a birth certificate, a valid passport, a valid residence permit and a valid certificate of acquired citizenship.

But minority in Parliament boycotted the procedure, registering their displeasure at the National Identification Authority not accepting the Voter’s ID as a proof of national identity.

They argued that over 20 million Ghanaians will be disenfranchised because of the limitations on the proof of citizenship.

The Progressive People’s Party’s Kofi Asamoah Siaw at a press conference, however reading some quotes from the Hansard of Parliament noted that Parliament received a unanimous acceptance from both sides of the house on the criteria for registration of the card. He was therefore surprised that the NDC would come back to make claims and allegations about the National Identification card process.

“In the committee’s report under proof of citizenship, the chairman reported to the house that the bill seeks to do away with the use of voters’ identity card, drivers’ license and baptismal certificates. It maintained the use of birth certificates and passports only and introduced residence permit and other documents evidencing acquired citizenship. In fact, the NDC supported the report and to quote Alhaji Inusah Abdulai B. Fuseini (MP, Tamale Central)” he stated.



“Mr. Speaker, there is no controversy in the amendments. It seeks to expand the field of information that would be required, and bring the information up to date with modern trends. As I joked in the meeting, they are trying to make it impossible for anybody to hide in this country or outside the country. Mr. Speaker, the second one was that in the parent bill, challenging somebody’s request to be put on the register was limited only to officers of the National Identification Authority. They now want to expand the remit. An individual could walk to the station and challenge the registration officer for registering somebody who has come to present himself for registration. We believe this is in accord with democratic tenancy; empowering the citizens to challenge the form”. He quoted



“The NDC party cannot be allowed to continue their disservice to Ghana even in opposition when they blatantly refused to implement the Ghana Card policy for the eight years they were in power.” Mr. Asamoah Siaw added