Ghanaian Government is set to commence Issuance of the National Identification numbers (Ghana-Card numbers) to newborn babies in Ghana,
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced this during the 75th Anniversary of the Ghana National College, in Cape Coast on Saturday.
He said the first Ghana-Card number was issued to a newborn baby on Friday, July 21, 2023, after a successful test-run of the system.
“The work of integrating the databases has been completed, the full test was done yesterday, and I am happy to say that the first Ghana-Card number for a baby was issued yesterday.
“So, from next month, all babies born in Ghana, once they take them to Weigh-In, they will be issued the Ghana-Card numbers and also get their Birth Certificate Identification numbers at the same time, because the two databases are talking to each other.”
“This is very transformational,” Dr Bawumia said, explaining that they will have these numbers from the time they are babies till they pass away.
Officials of the National Identification Authority (NIA) said cards bearing biometrics and other data would be issued to the children when they are older, after their digits and other features are fully formed.
Dr Bawumia emphasised that the issuance of ID numbers at birth was an integral part of government’s ongoing digitalization agenda, designed to prepare the nation to fully partake in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Ghana Card is increasingly becoming the sole source of proof of identity, with the unique number serving several purposes including as the Social Security, Health Insurance and Tax Identification number.
