National Identification Card To Be Implemented Soon

A common national Identification Card is to be provided for all Ghanaians living in and outside the country. The ID card will have a 13-digit number and when accessed will give vital information of the bearer. The first three digits will indicate the region; district and birthplace of the bearer while the next six digits will represent the year, month and day of birth. The other three digits will tell the sex of the bearer; even numbers representing females and odd numbers representing males.

It will have a code and a picture of the bearer embossed on it and will also be used for social security and insurance purposes. A 13- member committee, which would examine modalities, funding and strategies for an effective implementation of the scheme has been constituted.

Members of the committee were drawn from the Electoral Commission, Internal Revenue Service, and Ghana Police Service among others. They are expected to submit a report to the Minister for Economic Development and Regional Integration, Dr. Kwesi Nduom within 60 days.

The stakeholders of the project are the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Electoral Commission (EC), Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Births and Deaths Registry and the Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration. Others include the Ministry of Manpower Development and Employment, Ministry of Health and the Ghana Statistical Service.

The acting Director General of SSNIT, Mr. Eric Adjei said the 13-digit number would be embodied in all documents of residents including passports, drivers’ licences and other relevant documents. Dr. Kwesi Nduom commended SSNIT for the initiative saying that the ID cards will improve trade, commerce and trust among individuals in the country.

He announced that President Kufuor held a meeting to discuss the issue of implementation and charged the committee to work within the specified time to enable government to implement it within the next few months.