Benjamin Atuasi, the Deputy Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region, has issued a stern warning to the National Identification Authority (NIA) regarding its planned pilot registration exercise at border areas, particularly in the Pusiga District.
The exercise, slated to run from May 20 to June 14, 2024, aims to register Ghanaians living along the borders of Ghana and Burkina Faso for the Ghana Card.
Mr. Atuasi has raised serious concerns, labeling the initiative as a strategic maneuver by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to illegally boost its voter base in the area.
“The exercise can only be described as an orchestrated maneuvering aimed at registering illegal people to increase the votes of the NPP in the area,” he stated.
Beyond the alleged political motivations the officer has indicated, Mr. Atusa expressed fears that the registration process might inadvertently provide jihadists from Northern Burkina Faso and parts of Togo with an entry point into Ghana.
“My worries are not just about the NPP’s maneuvering tactics in the Pusiga Constituency. We are in an era where the activities of jihadists in our neighboring countries are gradually spilling over. If we do not take care and present such opportunities under the guise of voter registration, we risk compromising the safety of our country and communities,” Mr. Atuasi warned.
The NIA’s press release detailing the pilot registration exercise indicates that it will take place in two phases across several communities in Pusiga, including Widana/Pulmakom, Kulugungu, Pusiga, Zuabulga, Kultamise, and Pusiga-Hariya Primary.
This initiative is part of the broader national effort to provide all Ghanaians with the Ghana Card, which is essential for various civil and administrative processes.
