The Director General of SSNIT, John Ofori-Tenkorang has indicated that individuals who refuse to merge their SSNIT and Ghana cards will not be able to access their pension benefits.
Addressing the media in a presser on the SSNIT-NIA cards merger,;he indicated that it will also not enable the individual conduct business with SSNIT.
“As it is required by law to produce your Ghana Card;in order to be able to access certain public benefits,;if you refuse to do that then you are going to be denying yourself access to these benefits.”
John Ofori-Tenkorang
He further encouraged citizens to participate in the ongoing exercise;to help them enjoy the benefits that comes with the merged cards.
“It doesn’t cost you anything and it’s also in your own interest.”
John Ofori-Tenkorang
Mr. Ofori-Tenkorang also said that this exercise will help the issue of multiple identity by some Ghanaians which has been a challenge to SSNIT.
Also speaking at the presser, Professor Ken Attafuah, the National Identification Authority boss also disclosed that the Ghana cards are valid for 10 years after it has been issued to individuals.
He explained that Ghana cards are free at the issuance stage but when renewing subsequently, it will attract a fee.
“On that occasion [renewal], you will be able to update your records; that is your name or if you have a new digital address, you can. If you go and update your records which you must do,;if you move from Laterbiokorshie to Cantoments, you must inform the NIA.”
Professor Ken Attafuah
Ghanaians in the diaspora can register
Detailing the registration criteria for the NIA cards,;Professor Attafuah averred that the registration is not only for Ghanaians but for those in the diaspora as well. He indicated that his outfit will register foreign national who have obtained permission to work and have registered under the scheme.
“We are to create and maintain a robust and modern national identity and;also to ensure the accuracy to ensure the security and confidentially of the data that we will collect.”
Professor Ken Attafuah
Professor Attafuah further indicated that the exercise is to make data available for both individuals and;institutions mandated by law to have access to the data for use.
“The system provides a secure biometric register with a verification system. The national identification system can track and trace and return up-to-date information on each individual. It will provide a single source of truth of information of every individual;because the Ghana card uniquely identifies the bearer based on its biometric features and can be used for the verification and the authentication of every individual.”
Professor Ken Attafuah
NIA card issuance hasn’t taken a long time
Professor Attefah also posited that the NIA has not taken so long in getting every Ghanaian the Ghana cards;but explained that there were a number of things that had to be done between 2017 and 2019.
“When people say this process has taken so long,;they often have no idea what it has actually meant practically to operationalize what it is that we have.
“It has taken long with respect to persons who have applied for the card. That is, they apply for a card, they go to the NIA and are told that their card is not ready. That abominable go-come syndrome, we’ve been particularly worried about that.”
Professor Ken Attafuah
He further noted that the problem is not entirely the fault of the Authority as most of it stems from the provision of wrong information from individuals with regards to data already on their database.
Touching on those who are yet to acquire the Ghana card, he appealed with them to provide accurate information to ensure the smooth processing of the card.
“If you come back and say there is an error, we will investigate it and we will admit it if we are that fault. But if you signed it with your eyes opened there is little probability that we will admit and accept responsibility for that.”
Professor Ken Attafuah
