The government of Ghana has begun the registration and issuance of the ECOWAS Biometric Identity card, its delegation to Parliament disclosed.
In a Report presented at plenary, the Ghanaian representatives to Parliament said that the exercise commenced in April in Accra is to be extended to all parts of the country.
The identification card called ‘Ghana Card’ is being issued by the National Identification Authority of Ghana (NIA).
According to the NIA website, 3,900,681 people have been registered as at Nov. 22 out of which 3,397,447 cards had been printed and 2,397,348 cards issued.
The registration which is on the first phase is for persons not less than 15 years while in the second phase, those under the age of 15 would be captured.
The Ghana Card according to the NIA harmonises all information on other identity cards and also serve as an ECOWAS passport to facilitate free movement within the sub region.
Citizens are required to provide either a genuine birth certificate, a valid Ghanaian Passport or a valid certificate of acquired citizenship with a Ghana Post Digital Address Code.
“The card is valid for ten years, after which every citizen will be required to renew it at a fee. Replacement of the card upon loss or destruction at any time will also attract a fee”, the NIA said.
