Accept students’ identity cards in your dealings

The year 2011 cannot begin without letting the President and who it may concern

know how frustrating it is when a student presents an identity card to

authenticate a business transaction and the student is denied.

On the 24th of December, 2010, I went to Osu branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank

(GCB) to cash a Pesewa to celebrate the Christmas on the 25th and also for

pocket money.

To be frank in telling my story, I had no other money on the 24th apart from two

Ghanaian cedis (GHC2.00) and intended to top it up before 25th in order to avert

being denied on the Christmas holiday. I went to the bank and waited for about

forty five minutes long before it got to my turn to cash.

When I got to the cashier, I presented my withdrawal leaflet to her. As soon she

saw it, she asked me to present an Identity Card. Luckily; I had my student’s

identity card on me so I presented it. Then the cashier, a woman, said a

national ID (either voters ID or Passport, she said) and not a student’s ID.

I stood surprised because I could not understand and pleaded that I had none of

the IDs she mentioned. Then she said that the order came from above so I should

report to their operations manager.

When I got to the operations manager, I introduce myself as Bright Selasie, a

student of Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra, and from Volta Region. And I

narrated to her that I had wanted to withdraw money and presented my student’s

ID but was denied and asked to come and see her.

The operations manageress, who is old enough to be my biological mother said NO

to me a poor boy. I thought she was joking so I stood beside her and tried to

explain to her that I had ever cashed money without the so called national IDs

she mentioned at University of Ghana branch and Kwame Nkrumah Circle branch of

the same GCB. Even if they requested for my ID and I do not make it available,

they only check on the computer for my photograph. But this woman still hardened

her heart and completely denied me not only my own money, but the united

celebration. Honestly speaking, she told me that there was nothing she could do.

I waited for about five minutes only to realize that the woman had no intention

of attending to me. I still mustered some courage and asked which types of ID

the bank was after. She started counting: driving license, voter ID Passport

etc. Then I angrily said but I wasn’t a driver and she also looked at me with

hatred.

Mr. President and whoever is concerned, please tell me, is the student’s ID not

valuable? Meanwhile, on my ID card it is written boldly that “This card is

recognized by the Police, Government Agencies and Public Authorities.”

Please, to whoever is responsible, put in the right measures to prevent this

inhumane happenings. I am sure this cruel behavior is everywhere and not only in

Osu GCB branch.

Comrade Bright Selasie Yao Avornyo

allknowing00@yahoo.com