Issuance of Ghana Card starts on low note

The distribution of Ghana Cards by the National Identification Authority (NIA) started on a low-key as various centres in the capital recorded low patronage.

Even though officials of the authority reported early to their various centres of distribution, a number of centres visited by the Ghanaian Times yesterday revealed a low turn out.

Some of the centres visited included: Kaneshie, Bubuashie, Ringway, Adabraka and Osu.

At the Kaneshie Anglican Church distribution centre, only one person had come for the card as at 11:15 am.

However, at the Datus School Complex Cenre at Bubuashie there was no activity.

The centre at the Ghana Institute of Journalism had only three individuals who had come for their cards as at the time of the visit.

Apart from providing the figures, most officials at the centres declined further comments and directed all issues to the head office.

A key feature at the centres was the safety protocols put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Although, there were no thermometre guns at some of the centres, the officials wore nose masks, as hand sanitisers and hand washing stands were available for use.

Social distancing protocols were also observed among persons coming for their cards and NIA officials, as they sat metres away from each other.

It was also observed that cards were sanitised by the NIA officials before they were given out.

The NIA notified the public of the issuance of 3,875,441 cards to respective bearers across 5,635 centres across the country on Monday but postponed the exercise to Wednesday, June 10.

The exercise according to the NIA was to allow people to vouch for their relatives and others Ghanaians who wished to register for the Ghana card in an impending nationwide mop-up exercise.

By Francis Ntow