Minority MP’s have not been issued with Ghana cards – NIA clarifies

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has clarified that it has not issued a Ghana Card to any Minority Member of Parliament.

“Neither the Acting Executive Secretary nor any NIA authorised Registration Official has anything to do with the creation and circulation of the said pictures which can only be photo-shopped,” the NIA said in a statement.

Pictures of Ghana cards of some Minority MPs were on Saturday, 16 June 2018 widely circulated on social media.

Builsa South MP, Dr Clement Apaak described the cards as fake.

Disclaiming the cards, Dr Apaak wrote on his Facebook wall that: “FakeGhanaCards – To think that the NIA and by extension Government, will fraudulently clone and use pictures and information of some members of the NDC minority from the parliament website to create and circulate FAKE Ghana cards is beyond belief!

“We have boycotted the card and that is it? If you want us on board add the voters ID as a primary ID for registration. Why will a state institution engage in such an act of fraud to deceive the people of Ghana? Is it not shocking that this is happening under an NIA boss, Prof. Attafuah, a lawyer, a human rights lawyer! This act of fraud is unforgivable. My colleagues whose images and information have used must sue the NIA without delay! Kai, you do this and want us to believe Nyantakyi was bragging?” he said.

Confirming that the cards are fake, the NIA said it “has no evidence of having registered any Minority MP”.

Below is the full statement from the NIA:

PRESS RELEASE

FAKE GHANA CARD PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has noticed with profound regret pictures circulating on social media purporting to be photos of Ghana Cards issued to some Minority Members of Parliament by NIA, following their alleged secret registration for the cards. The NIA wishes to put the following facts on record for the attention of the general public:



1. NIA has no evidence of having registered any Minority MP;

2. NIA has not issued a Ghana Card to any Minority MP;

3. NIA has no evidentiary basis to consider that it issued the purported Ghana Cards;

4. Neither the A.g Executive Secretary nor any NIA authorised Registration Official has anything to do with the creation and circulation of the said pictures which can only be photoshoped.

5. The purported Personal Identification Numbers on the cards fall completely outside the unique numbering system and scope of NIA.

6. The pictures on the cards also don’t conform to NIA picture requirements.

7. NIA is acutely mindful of its obligations to respect and protect the integrity of all personal data entrusted into its care by the citizenry. Effectively ensuring all-round compliance with data protection laws and policies will remain a core concern of NIA; and



8. NIA is a creature of statute and is determined to obey the existing laws of the Republic of Ghana in implementing the National Identification System Project. It has no need to, and will never resort to any unfair, devious and illegal methods of persuasion in its bid to get all Ghanaians to register for the Ghana Card to ensure social and economic inclusion.

The Authority therefore states emphatically that the said CARDS ARE FAKE and should be disregarded.

The security, confidentiality and protection of all data in our custody therefore remains assured.

While this statement is meant to deny the Authority’s knowledge, involvement or connection with the fake cards, the Authority will soon issue a comprehensive statement covering the technical and operational processes involved in the issuance of the Ghana Card.