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Written by Kijito Kudjoe
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed confidence that the integration of the National Identity Card at Birth (Ghana Card) will help address the existing registration gap.
So far, about 17.7 million adults over the age of 15 have been registered, but citizens under the age of 15 do not have a national identity card. The number registered is out of a population of over 30 million people.
However, Dr Bawumia, who spoke at the launch of the Ghana Card at Birth System in Accra, said allowing children to obtain a Ghana Card at birth would bridge this gap over time. Stated.
He explained that the move was a collaboration between the Ghana Health Service, the Bureau of Births and Deaths Registration (BDR) and the National Identification Authority (NIA).
He further pointed out that it will create a platform to address potential problems and risks caused by the lack of integration of birth records and national identity databases.
The Vice President further commented as follows: “This integration will immediately provide every child born in Ghana with a unique identity, linking it to their mother’s identity and securing their place within our country’s national identity system.
“This monumental integration is about more than just issuing cards. It is about recognizing and affirming the rights and existence of our youngest citizens from the moment they are born into this world. It is about their future. and to ensure that they have access to health, education and social services without unnecessary barriers.”
As of Monday, March 11, 2024, a total of 17,910,904 Ghana Card registration attempts have been made, of which 17,804,405 were successfully registered.
Of the successfully registered cards, 17,750,476 cards were printed, of which 17,075,232 were delivered to applicants. Additionally, he revealed that he has 53,929 cards ready for printing.
The new system will allow registration at health facilities across the country and will not exclude mothers, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
“This is especially important in rural areas where access to government services can be limited and technology serves as a critical bridge,” the Vice President added.
He claimed: “The Ghana Card at Birth is more than just an identity document. It is a promise to our children of a future where their identity and rights are recognized from their first breath. It meets the needs of the Ghanaian people. , is a testament to our commitment to building an effective, efficient, responsive and accountable public sector.”
He pointed out that the effective and efficient implementation of this system will bring many benefits to mothers and children.
“This provides a systematic and efficient way to register births and ensures that every child is part of the system from birth. “This will address Ghana’s long-standing problem of many births going unregistered due to factors such as lack of awareness,” he said.
He said the system facilitates access to health care, education and social welfare programs and protects the rights and entitlements of both mothers and education.
“Ghana has made great strides in improving access to health care in recent years, and initiatives like the Ghana Card Number at Birth will further contribute to ensuring that all citizens have access to the services they need. Dr. Bawumia said.
It is also expected to support the digitization of birth registration and identity verification processes, strengthening the security and integrity of personal data while reducing the risk of identity fraud.
He stressed that it will also help fight child trafficking, as rescued children can be reunited with their families.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Kuma Aboazi, said the initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to leveraging digital tools to improve maternal and child health services.
He said that with the introduction of the Ghana Birth Card System, the service will be effectively available in all accessible facilities across the country, even in the most remote villages where e-trackers and optical health information management systems are in use. He said it is now available.
NIA Director-General Professor Ken Atafuah said the introduction of the Ghana Card at Birth would eliminate future controversies regarding birth and citizenship for Ghanaians.
According to him, this novelty will ensure that the right data of the population is properly collected and compiled for future reference.