<<Print>>

Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Allotey Jacobs has rubbished the national identification card registration exercise.

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme on Wednesday, Allotey Jacobs questioned the logic in issuing the card when Ghanaians are suffering and have other pressing needs.

He wondered if having a Ghana card should be the priority of the government at the expense of providing basic necessities to the citizenry.

Accounting the cost involved in the exercise, Allotey believed the specified amount could be used to address the road, health and infrastructure challenges among others confronting the nation.

“Why are we in a hurry to have Ghana card?...Everybody is complaining about their roads. People are complaining about health facilities. People are complaining about schools under trees. So, is our priority Ghana card?” he asked.

The NDC Regional Chairman further lambasted the government about the requirements for a person to hold the card, wondering how it's going to be achievable “when you know that almost about 60/70 percent of your population are uneducated. Then you go and say that they should bring their birth certificate and passport. How many people even get passport at the Passport Office?”

The issuance of the national identification card called Ghana card is among government's initiatives to formalize the economy.

The registration exercise will reportedly cost the country $1.2billion and span for a period of 15 years.