By Ebi Kesiena
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has praised the Nana Akufo-Addo administration for its implementation of the ‘Ghana Card,’ which he claims is the only fully digital identification card in the world.
He noted that even highly advanced nations like the United States and the United Kingdom do not have a similar digital card.
Speaking at a campaign event, Vice President Bawumia stated that if the NPP is re-elected in the 2024 general elections, the government will continue to introduce such innovative solutions.
“Our Ghana Card, the United States of America doesn’t have one, the United Kingdom doesn’t have one. Ghana is the only country in the world that has a digital card,” he stated.
Dr. Bawumia also announced plans to make the Ghana Card the sole document required for applying for passports starting next year. He said that applicants will no longer need to purchase forms, as they will simply use their Ghana Card to obtain a passport.
In March 2024, Bawumia launched a new policy to issue the Ghana Card to newborns immediately at birth, providing them with unique identity numbers alongside their birth certificates. Under this system, newborns delivered in health facilities will have their biometric details recorded in the District Health Information System (DHIS) e-tracker at community health posts or hospitals.
This initiative is the result of collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Births and Deaths Registry, and the National Identification Authority. These institutions have integrated their systems to facilitate the registration of newborns up to six years old.
At the launch of the initiative at the Ga North Municipal Hospital in Accra, Dr. Bawumia highlighted that the integration would ensure every child born in Ghana is immediately provided with a unique identity number, linked to their mother’s identity, and included within the national system.
He added that this measure would also protect children’s rights and aid in effective planning for essential services like health, education, and social welfare, ultimately supporting economic growth and poverty reduction.
The new Ghana Card issuance system begins from the antenatal stage, where the mother’s records are associated with the Ghana Card, ensuring a seamless process from birth.
