News

What is ‘premium’ about a Ghana card?

Dear Editor,

The National Identification Card otherwise known as the ‘Ghana card’ is supposed to be necessity and not luxury. Every Ghanaian is entitled to it, hence the authority charged to produce the cards must treat it as a public service.

The card, in my opinion, is being treated as a scarce commodity with the National Identification Authority (NIA) acting as private enterprise other than a state institution.

Apart from the challenges citizens had to endure in registering for the card, issuance of the card had delayed until recently when the NIA decided to release them.

Early this week, I overheard the NIA boss saying the authority intends to introduce a “premium service” for individuals who are unable to register for the card during the mass registration.

Per the arrangement, the service would be available after December 2020 where individuals or institutions would have to pay between GH¢ 100.00 and GH¢ 250.00 to acquire the card.

This announcement got me thinking; why should there be a ‘premium’ on a Ghana card? With this, the authority seems to be aiming at making profit which, I think, should not be the case.

I am aware a good number of citizens do not have the card but how many of them can pay this amount after December? Does the NIA intend to treat the Ghana card as a passport or driver’s licence?

I believe the authority must be thinking of making the card more accessible to the public even after the mass registration, and should not be thinking of making profit.

Citizens do not have to spend that much to acquire a Ghana card. We have had a fair share of institutions that have ‘bullied’ us well enough in this regard. The NIA must not join them.

Kakra Ofori

Mampong

News

GTA, Stakeholders hold inaugural meeting ahead of Panafest and Emancipation Day 2025

The Ghana Tourism Authority, together with key stakeholders, held an inaugural meeting yesterday ahead of Panafest and Emancipation 2025.

The meeting was to officially commence processes leading to the celebration of Panafest and Emancipation Day 2025, which is significant to Ghana’s tourism sector.

The inaugural meeting held by the Panafest/Emancipation Planning Committee exhibited a dedicated team committed to celebrating Pan-African unity, heritage, and culture.

With renewed energy and shared vision, they are laying the groundwork for an unforgettable experience that will reconnect the African family and showcase Ghana’s cultural pride to the world.

PANAFEST, established in 1992, embodies a broader vision of Pan-African unity and cultural revival. With its vibrant display of African arts, including music, drama, and poetry, PANAFEST aims to strengthen Pan-Africanism and enhance Africa’s global cultural presence.

The festival features a durbar of Chiefs, tours of historical sites, and cultural performances that underscore Africa’s rich heritage and resilience.

Emancipation Day, first celebrated in the Caribbean on August 1, 1834, and observed in Ghana since 1998, marks a pivotal moment in the fight against slavery.

Emancipation Day, anchored by the Ministry of Tourism, highlights Ghana’s role as the gateway for the African Diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral roots.

News

Health Minister embarks on working visit to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, paid a working visit to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as part of his commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the country.

During the visit, the Minister toured several key departments, including the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and the Surgery Department.

Mr.Akandoh expressed concern over the state of maintenance in the departments visited and emphasized the urgent need to address infrastructural and operational challenges affecting patient care.

The Minister stated that the visit was prompted by numerous public complaints and assured the public that swift action would be taken to engage management and relevant stakeholders to improve conditions at the facility and uphold the highest standards of healthcare delivery.