The National Identification Authority (NIA) has responded to allegations made by Dr. Omane Boamah, a former Minister of Communications, that the recent registration exercise in Pusiga, Upper East Region, was politically motivated.
In a press statement, the NIA denied all allegations, stating that the exercise was conducted in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to register Ghanaians living along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.
“The NIA has acted in utmost good faith, in the national interest, and in accordance with law,” the statement said. “The registration exercise in Pusiga is a pilot exercise which may be extended to other communities along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border, if deemed necessary.”
The NIA also denied allegations that it was issuing Ghana Cards to minors and misrepresenting their ages, stating that the registration process involves rigorous biographic and biometric data collection and verification procedures to ensure that only eligible Ghanaians are registered.
“We urge Dr. Omane Boamah and those who have such information to obey the law and report any ineligible applicants to the police,” the statement said.
The NIA also highlighted its achievements since 2017, including registering over 17 million Ghanaians and issuing over 17 million Ghana Cards.
“The public should not be dissuaded by Dr. Boamah’s deliberate falsehoods against the NIA,” the statement said. “His allegations are all spurious and unfounded, and the public is urged to disregard them.”
The NIA further noted that: “Lawfully and boldly, the NIA will continue to pursue its statutory mandate of registering all Ghanaians at home and abroad and issue them with the Ghana Card in order to advance the economic, social, and political development of our country.”
The NIA also stated that it will not suspend or stop the on-registration exercise in Pusiga and environs aimed at expanding access to the Ghana Card and thereby improving identification and border security in that part of Ghana.
