An IT Expert, Mr. Stephen Forson, has urged government to focus on data protection with regards to the Ghana Card being used as an electronic passport.
According to the IT expert, although the iniative is laudable, the data of citizens must be prioritized due to recent fraudulent acts.
“We should focus attention on data protection. What happens is that, you can’t just give out the data to the particular country without the ICAO.”
Stephen Forson
Stephen Forson stated that because of the standardized nature of the electronic passport, a persons data can be accessed upon request but government must ensure it is protected.
“It doesn’t mean you will get everything about Ama and get to know that of Kodjo. It will just be one.”
Stephen Forson
According to the IT expert, the database for the new initiative must be a request and grant system. He explained that if one subscribes, it means access has been given to the airports to request for data and as and when they request, it also gives them just enough data to access where the person is from.
“I’m sure the initiative subscribes to the international data protection laws. In Ghana, we have our data protection laws and internationally there is one the standard have to follow. I’m sure the data that will be given to ICAO will be just what the international organization will need to assist the Ghanaian wherever he or she is.”
Stephen Forson
Stephen Forson ascertained that all these things must be considered because Ghanaians don’t pay attention to data protection especially with things having to do with personal information.
“It’s in Ghana that we play with data protection. Under normal circumstance, there are certain details about you that should not be accessible.”
Stephen Forson
E-passport functions
Touching on how the Ghana card now an E-passport will work, Stephen Forson explained that it is just like the normal passport just that the details have been captured and synchronized on the database.
“It means that if you possess the E-passport, anywhere around the world your details must be recognized. For as long as Ghana has subscribed to that service, any of the airports can take it and it wouldn’t be necessary submitting the physical passport for identification.”
Stephen Forson
The IT expert indicated that the usage is not complicated since the International Civil Aviation Organization has eased the process so that the E-passport can be accepted in airports.
The Ghana National Identification Card, popularly known as the ‘Ghana Card’ will now enable holders to travel across 97 borders and 44,000 airports in the world.
Holders of the Ghana Card will therefore be permitted to embark on any flight to Ghana by simply showing the card. This follows a recognition of the Ghana Card as a global electronic passport, verified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant borders.
At a ceremony at the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal in Canada, Ghana was officially presented with a certificate, recognizing the Ghana Card as an e-passport, acceptable in 44,000 commercial airports worldwide.
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