Prof Ken Attafuah
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has exposed fake identification cards purported to be the Ghanacard currently being rolled out by the agency.
The said fake Ghanacard went virile during the holidays and attracted varied comments from members of the public against the backdrop of the opposition to the cards by members of the Minority in Parliament. The fake cards were created for tendentious purposes but with the NIA denial, it has suffered a fatal blow.
In a strongly worded denial, the Corporate Affairs Department of the NIA stated that it had noticed with profound regret pictures circulating on social media purported to be pictures of Ghanacard issued to Minority MPs by the NIA following alleged secret registration for the cards.
Continuing the denial, the NIA explained that it had no evidence of having registered any Minority MP and had not issued any card to any of the said legislators.
The agency stated that it had not authorized any of its officials to create and circulate the said pictures which could have only been photo shopped.
The NIA denied also the purported personal identification numbers on the fake Ghanacard which do not conform to the numbering system unique to the authority. As for the pictures, the NIA stated that they do not meet its picture requirements.
The authority assured Ghanaians that it was mindful of its obligations to respect and protect the integrity of all personal data entrusted to it.
Being a creature of statutes, the NIA explained that it was determined to obey existing laws of the Republic of Ghana in implementing the National Identification System Project.
The statement continued, ‘ The NIA has no need to, and will never resort to any unfair, devious and illegal methods of persuasion in its bid to get all Ghanaians to register for the Ghanacard to ensure social and economic inclusion.’
For emphasis it adds unequivocally that ‘the said cards are fake and should be disregarded’ adding ‘the security, confidentiality and protection of all data in our custody therefore remain assured.’
According to the statement, the NIA will soon issue a notice about the technical and operational processes for the issuance of a Ghanacard.
By A.R. Gomda