Ghana Card Will Span For 15 Years . . . Quality Is Superior! - NIA Boss Justifies $1.2bn Registration Exercise

Executive Director of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof Kenneth Attafuah has dismissed controversies about the National Identification Card registration exercise.

The commencement of the registration of Ghanaians for the issuance of the national ID cards by the NIA was scheduled on Monday, May 28, 2018.

The NIA suspended the exercise due to technical glitches.

Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's Kokrokoo on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, the Authority's Executive Director has confirmed the suspension of the exercise blaming it on logistical and technical challenges.

He however failed to provide an exact date to commence the exercise after the unsuccessful attempt but noted it has been postponed to a later date.

The registration exercise is intended to cost Ghana $1.2 billion.

Following the number of setbacks the project has suffered, the NIA has come under intense criticisms over the numerous failures that have characterized the exercise. Some critics have questioned the NIA to provide explanations to how they arrived at the specified amount for the project.

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, Prof Kenneth Attafuah sought to clear the doubts in the minds of Ghanaians explaining the new card system by the current administration will give tremendous benefits to the nation.

“The size of the population is larger. The size and quality of the card is larger and bigger, and superior. The security features are amazing. Anyone who gets it automatically has an electronic passport for travel within West Africa . . . All the other card systems that are being talked about do not have these features . . . it is superior. It is cost effective,” he said.

He noted that the exercise will generate revenues for the country.

He added that the project is cost effective, hence not incurring any financial burdens on Ghanaians.

Touching on the $1.2 billion stipulated for the project, Prof Attafuah stated the exercise will span for 15 years, hence a justification for the amount.

“It’s been the most transparent process . . . If the national ID project we’re doing doesn’t become effective, Ghana stands to suffer. If the national ID project is successful, the opportunity and benefits are so immense and mind-boggling. This is, in itself, a revenue generating platform,” he said.