NIA To Register Ghanaians Abroad

Ambassador Gina Blay

Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany, Gina Ama Blay, has entreated Ghanaians living in that country to actively take part in the registration of Ghanaians living abroad by the National Identification Authority (NIA).

The exercise will lead to the acquisition of Ghana Cards which may be used in the implementation of the Representation of the People Amendment Act (ROPAA), the envoy added.

ROPAA, she explained, would give Ghanaians abroad the power to vote in national elections.

“Let me use this opportunity to entreat you all to take the exercise seriously when it begins since ownership of the Ghana National Card could be useful in the implementation of ROPAA which many of you have been yearning for since the Act was passed by the Parliament of Ghana,” she told a gathering of Ghanaians during the celebration of the country’s independence in Berlin on Saturday. 

The envoy said the upcoming registration exercise is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the NIA. 

Ghanaians in Germany on Saturday marked Ghana’s 62nd Independence Anniversary in Berlin – the first to be celebrated by the Ghanaian community in that country.

The event was hosted by the Ghana Embassy during which Ambassador Gina Blay admonished her compatriots to be law-abiding citizens and support the government in building a prosperous nation.

Ambassador Blay, who was praised for initiating the celebration of the Independence Day by the Ghanaian community in Germany, told the gathering that several programmes had been initiated by the government for Ghanaians living abroad.

The establishment of the Diaspora Office at the Office of the President, she disclosed, would help collate concerns of Ghanaians in the Diaspora for the President to address them. 

She mentioned that government was working on petitions received from Ghanaians living abroad on high import duties.

“I hope you will continue to take advantage of the office to bring up relevant issues which require government’s attention in order to assist you to contribute positively to national development,” she stated.

Ambassador Blay said government was determined to address their concerns and cited the recent decision to extend the validity of the Ghanaian passport from five to 10 years, beginning from end of March.

“This was in response to several petitions from you in the Diaspora and our citizens back home. This singular decision, no doubt, bears testimony of the mark of a listening government, and we are committed to doing more to address the needs of our citizens both home and abroad,” she added.

From Fortune Alimi, Berlin

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