The National Identification Authority (NIA) has refuted claims that the Authority has unlawfully issued Ghana cards to some foreign nationals, specifically to a Chinese national.
This follows a video circulating on social media suggesting that the possession of a Ghana card by a Chinese was unlawful.
In a statement issued and signed by Mr Francis Palmdeti, the Head of Corporate Affairs, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, the Authority said issuance of Ghana Card to resident foreigners in Ghana was backed by law.
It said a Chinese or other foreign nationals may lawfully possess a Ghana card as contained in Section 2 (2) of NIA Act 2006, Act 707, and Section 7 of National Identity Register Act 2008, Act 750.
"By virtue of these legal provisions NIA is mandated to register and issue Ghana cards not only to Ghanaians living in Ghana and abroad but also to foreigners legally resident in Ghana.
"The NIA has since 2012 been issuing Ghana cards to qualified foreigners who have lived in the country for a cumulative period of 90 days and above as per the National Identity Register Regulations LI 2111 (2012)," it stated.
Touching on some key features, the statement said the cards issued to Ghanaians had both ECOWAS Identity boldly printed with ECOWAS and the Ghana flag at the top left and right corners respectively.
But the card issued to foreigners had boldly printed on its face in red “NON CITIZEN” and it was marked same in the National Identity Register (database).
Although the law prescribes that the National Identity Card issued by NIA should be known as the Ghana card, it said this name was, however, not printed on the face of the cards issued to either Ghanaians or to foreigners.
Thus, a Ghanaian or a foreigner may lawfully possess the Ghana card as long as he or she had complied with the respective registration requirements.
It further stated that unlike the Ghana Card issued to Ghanaians which was valid for 10 years, the NON-CITIZEN Ghana Card issued to foreigners was, however, valid for one year, renewable annually.
Eligible foreigners paid a fee of 120 dollars to register and acquire the Ghana card and 60 dollars for renewal.
Source: GNA
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And these same Ghanaians will be celebrating if they get registered in a foreign land. How many Africans hold dual citizenship but would never allow any foreigner to have theirs. Hypocrites !!!!!
NIA is always quick at responding to issues that come to tarnish it's image but have refused to pay it's workers (for the month of March) and do not even care to send a statement of assurance to their field staff. It's pathetic!
This is very ***barred word*** article or section 2(2) whatever. When shall Ghana leaders learn sense??? Imagine Ghanaian holding Chinese ID card. It’s impossible and will never be. Foreigners in Ghana can apply residence permits but not National Identity Card. ***barred word*** leaders and ignorance.
It very bad to register for Chinese very bad one day u will regret it never to Japan or Chinese no adapt money just want but don't think next generation i caused u guys for for what u are doing
How I hope we could understand that ID cards are not for Nationals only but also legal foreign citizens legally residing in Ghana. Let's up our doing please. It's done everywhere like that not only in Ghana. It's got nothing to do with selling of birthriight.
The most useleeees explanation from an officer. If the president believes in himself, why all these ways and means. On this god given earth if you plant cassava you will never harvest crocodile because they all begin with the letter C. Would the official tell ghanaians qualification to meet the id. If not galamsey in conjunction with corrupt officials why would a reasonable person register a chinese
NIA MUST IMMEDIATELY MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION IN THE EASTERN REGION. IT WAS LEFT WITH ONE WEEK OF THE PERIOD STIPULATED FOR THE REGION TO FINISH. THERE HAD BEEN ELECTIONS IN SOME PLACES DURING THE COVID-19 ERA. IT WAS WELL ARRANGED TO KEEP THE SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE CAN DO THE SAME.
@ghanaba seek education before you comment and spew ignorance. I lived in Europe before and over there, they have identity card for every person living in the country. They have a card for foreigners where it is renewed every one, 3months, 6months, a year and so on. Holding those cards doesn't mean you have nationality or you are a citizen of that country. you can stay in some country for years but will still be renewing it every month because you don't qualify for any of their categories. They have a temporary card for different duration, permanent residents for different duration etc. Again you need a card that stipulates your legality to stay in that country and that is what you carry around to access all services. That is the same thing NIA Ghana is doing. So people should get education and understanding before attacking public officials of being corrupt. When I was there, I had a temporary card for my duration and will get bus ticket with it and other services not my Ghanaian passport.
this shows how ghanaians have sold their birthright for money. do you thin china will allow these things on their soil , its because ghanaians are ***barred word*** when we see foreign person our conscience changed , we tend to act differently . Am a ghanaian by birth i was among the first people who did their registration last year June , till date i have not received my ghana card , is it not pathetic, some foreigners have got it . God should just have mercy on us