New Brown Card Introduced

A new secured Brown Card has been adopted by the Council of Bureaux of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme. The resolution for this replacement was passed at the 28th Ordinary Session held in Cotonou, Benin, in October last year to curb the use of fake cards in the community. The new Brown Card is a single leaflet format with security features and improved certificates. The Scheme ensures that third parties are promptly and fairly compensated when motor accidents are caused by non-citizen motorists visiting from other ECOWAS member-states. The system also guarantees a motor insurance cover that leads to realisation of the free movement objectives of the ECOWAS. It facilitates nationals driving vehicles within ECOWAS states receiving payment of compensation due to them as a result of accidents they may have caused. Business and Financial Times investigations revealed that the Ghana Bureau has embarked on an extensive programme to educate stakeholders and the public on the scheme. The educational programme includes training of stakeholders and transporters in Accra, Aflao, Takoradi, Elubo, Tamale and Paga, and runs from January 19th � October, 2012. The ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme was established by the Protocol A/P1/5/82 and signed on May 29th 1982 in Cotonou by Heads of States and Governments of the ECOWAS. The main objective of the Scheme is to ensure prompt and fair compensation to victims of motor accidents caused by non-citizen motorists visiting their territory from other ECOWAS member-states. Hence, the system guarantees a motor insurance cover that leads to realisation of the free movement objectives of the region. The Scheme covers Third Party Liability for injury, Death, and Property Damage caused by a visiting motorist. The protocol also defined the role of each member-state. Each Member-State should establish a National Bureau that plays a dual-role as an issuing and handling Bureau.