NIA to prosecute people engaged in double registration

Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - The National Identification Authority (NIA) on Wednesday said it was finalising data to prosecute people who were engage= d in multiple registration during the Mass National Identification System Registration between July 2008 and May 2010.

"The NIA security systems have captured substantial number of people=

who engaged in multiple registration with the intent to defraud the syste= m. We are still cross-checking, matching and analysing the data.

"When we are through, the information would be handed over to the Police for arrest and prosecution," Dr William Ahadzie, NIA Executive Secretary told newsmen in Accra to outline measures for mass ID Card production. On the registration of residents in the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper=

West and Upper East Regions, Dr Ahadzie said the Authority was working around the clock to start the process by the end of March 2011. It has been estimated to cost about GH¢8,715,225 for the four Regi= ons, adding: "We are mobilising both financial and human resources for the commencement of the exercise in the remaining Regions."

On security measures to protect the card against fraud, Dr Ahadzie s= aid the cards had two types of biometric technology for identification purpos= es. These are the fingerprints which are unique to each individual in th= e form of digitised templates and facial dimension in the form of digitised=

colour photo of the card holder.

He said the Authority was deploying cutting edge technology that wou= ld incorporate several layers of security features to make the card difficul= t to forge and protect the personal information stored on the card.

These features would allow only authorised persons to read the information on it."during any transaction in which the individual's ident= ity needed to be checked, the fingerprint or signature could be accurately verified using an appropriate card reader supplied by NIA. Speaking on benefits, Dr Ahadzie, said the card would enable the hol= der to obtain various services with ease and convenience and establish the individual's identity against a third party. 1 Dec. 10