NIA Begins Registration And Issuance Of Cards To Refugees Living In Ghana

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has commenced the registration and issuance of Refugee Identity Cards to refugees living in the country.

The process is expected to enable refugees in the country to access some social services they do not currently enjoy due to their unregistered status.

Essential services such as opening a bank account, registering SIM cards etc., are often daunting tasks for refugees in the country. They have thus been calling on the government to be considered for the Ghana Card ever since the exercise began, so they could live a stress-free life while in the country.

Acting Executive Secretary for the Ghana Refugee Board, Padi Tetteh, commended the registration process, saying it is a step in the right direction and accordance with international conventions.

“Due to the fact that we are signatories to the UN Refugee Convention and also the fact that we are governed by the Ghana Refugee Law, we are to ensure that refugees have access to social services, and it is important that they do so in order to allow them to earn a living.”

Mr Tetteh also revealed that 7,000 refugees are expected to be issued the card at the end of the exercise.

He was quick to clarify that the card does not grant nationality to the refugees, but it is a means to enable them to get access to decent social services and also to ensure their safety while living in Ghana.

“It is important to note that the card doesn’t grant them nationality, and they don’t have the right to vote. The only thing is that the card gives them the right to social services in order to live in safety and dignity,” he noted.