<<Print>>

In as much as NIA sought to settle scores with Franklin Cudjoe of Imani Ghana over his 14 bulleted points, there are still hurdles to be jumped, which their release did not address. It is for a fact that this nation needs a centralized database system for which reason I petitioned the president for, though it was the underlining factor in setting up the NIA but that was not what we got. What every Ghanaian is asking for is what exactly caused the first exercise to fail aside the first and quick monetary point cited always by the Authority. His excellence must as a matter of urgency direct the Auditors General Department to audit NIA to allay the fears or justify the fears of Ghanaians. This exercise must also be done side by side with a fact finding technical committee so that the nation is not short changed. Because to make a six year old exercise irrelevant with technological excuse is troubling to the mind and purse of the taxpayer. These are questions to be answered in a broader stakeholder�s consultative dialogue. The NIA was established for the following reason �The Technical Committee completed its assignment in the year 2002 and submitted a report to Cabinet. The report was accepted but it had to form a basis for the Government and State to: 1. Cover all citizens including legally resident non Ghanaians; 2. Help with crime prevention, healthcare, welfare services, disaster management; 3. Assist in the delivery of public services to targeted populations, banking services; 4. Create a credible voters register, social security; 5. Check the application and acquisition of passports and drivers� licences; and Aid with increased revenue collection.� Source NIA website http://nia.gov.gh/about-us/history/ 1. Did we as a nation get value for our money to meet the above? 2. Is it not possible for NIA to sync the data so far collected by EC,NHIS, Passport office, DVLA, SSNIT etc since they have 10 finger print details of Ghanaians? EC alone from the last voting exercise had over 10 million registered voters and NIA wants to do at least 15 Million. EC is for 18 years and above and NHIS goes below 18years. So do we really need a re-registration exercise entirely again? 3. If $115 million dollars is not for re-registration exercise as stated in NIA press release � Conclusion: We welcome constructive criticism on our activities as a public service institution but from an informed position. Indeed, this Press Notice from IMANI begins with a completely misleading title. AS WE HAVE STATED IN CLEAR AND ORDINARY ENGLISH both here (see response 10 above) and in our press statement this China EXIM facility is NOT FOR �another card registration� then what is this facility for? 4. Was the AFIS for the foreigners registration �four finger print� ? If yes as it is acclaimed to be successful why the change? If No why did they proceed knowing they need 10 fingers capturing device. 5. What prevented NIA from putting the right systems in place for the creation of a centralized database system before taking off in 2007 but went ahead to conduct the registration exercise to come back after 6 years to request for money to overhaul the process. 6. What is the proof that, they won�t come back after 6 years again because their excuse on technological grounds would be far advanced then? 7. Can NIA make available what architecture they are deploying, infrastructure they have now and what upgrades are need? NIA must not see Ghanaians seeking for further explanation and the quest for value for money as antagonist. I implore the leadership of NIA to clear all doubts, allay all fears and justify why we must support them. I petitioned His Excellency for this centralized database system which is a must in our moving forward but if the sheep that were sent for grazing are not back how do we even release even more a larger number?