The Ghana Card has become the most critical citizenship identity document in the country besides the Passport.
Indeed until its introduction and its fine tuning to its current high-notched status the passport served the purpose of proof of citizenship.
Today with the Ghana Card about to become the document to be acceptable for banking transactions as per a directive by the Bank of Ghana its status has progressed even further.
As a key component of the digitization project it holds vital statistics of all citizens the database of which is managed by the National Identification Authority (NIA) and its National Security value too palpable to be ignored.
Now it is being merged with the Social Security And National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) numbers of contributors and pensioners a process which adds to its criticalness in digitization project.
The recent rush for the document by those who in the early days of its introduction were skeptical about its importance is understandable. It is required for the re-registration of SIM cards which process is ongoing. The new mobile phone ownership requirement has pushed Ghana Card further into the digitization agenda.
Considering the role the Ghana Card is now playing in the lives of citizens it is acceptable as another security document whose acquisition should be managed with eagle eyes lest unscrupulous foreigners use criminal means to acquire it.
There have been instances of citizenship fraud perpetrated by persons not qualified to acquire the security document and same were prosecuted.
These are commendable actions by the NIA collaborating with law enforcement personnel attached to the headquarters of the Authority.
Criminal elements appreciating the importance of the document and finding it ideal for their fraudulent activities will seek innovative means of outwitting NIA officials in their bid to acquire the Ghana Card.
This calls for extra vigilance from both NIA personnel and the public. A citizen who knowingly assists an unqualified person to acquire the Ghana Card lacks the attributes of a good citizen.
Policing such processes is fraught with challenges especially when there are citizens who would not mind selling their country for a pittance.
We have observed the rush for the card as a result of its requirement for the re-registration of SIM cards. This has pushed the fraudsters to seek more innovative means of cheating.
Even though we urge the NIA to expedite the processes of acquiring the card its integrity should be protected by all means.
Fraudulent characters and middlemen when they are caught should be prosecuted forthwith to serve as importance deterrence.
Ghana Card falling into the hands of unqualified persons poses a costly security breach which should not be countenanced under any circumstance. After all foreigners living in Ghana legitimately are entitled to their version of the card.