MAHAMA CHALLENGES BAWUMIA’S CLAIMS ON GHANA CARD AS TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Former President John Dramani Mahama has refuted Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s assertion that the Ghana Card can be used as an alternative to a passport for international travel. Mahama described the claim as misleading, citing practical examples of the card’s limitations at Ghana’s borders.

Speaking during an interaction, Mahama revealed that immigration officers in Ghana do not accept the Ghana Card as a valid travel document, even for trips to neighboring countries. He referenced a personal experience to illustrate the discrepancy between Dr. Bawumia’s claims and reality.

“Dr. Bawumia claimed that with a Ghana Card, you can travel outside the country. When he made that statement, he knew he was lying,” Mahama stated. “On one occasion, I was traveling to Abuja with a group. One of the travelers had an expired passport and presented the Ghana Card instead, as Dr. Bawumia suggested. Immigration officers refused to accept it, and we had to leave him behind.”

Dr. Bawumia, in May 2024, announced that the Ghana Card is now recognized at 44,000 airports worldwide as part of Ghana’s integration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) database. He claimed the card could serve as a valid travel document for Ghanaians who lose their passports, emphasizing its role in the country’s digital transformation.

During a recent tour in the Upper West Region, the Vice President reiterated the Ghana Card’s significance beyond travel, highlighting its utility in combating corruption and improving public sector efficiency. He explained that the card has been instrumental in identifying and removing ghost names from government payrolls, saving the country from fraudulent salary payments.

However, Mahama’s criticism suggests a gap between the card’s theoretical capabilities and its practical application. His remarks are likely to reignite debates over the extent to which the Ghana Card can simplify travel for Ghanaians and its overall effectiveness as a digital identity tool.

Source:NKONKONSA.com