Former Multimedia Group and Award-winning journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has said he is convinced President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo authorized the National Identification Authority (NIA) to continue with its ongoing exercise in the Eastern Region to “enhance his chances” in the 2020 election.
The Executive Secretary for NIA, Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah has come under attack over his decision to continue the Ghana Card exercise despite a COVID 19 ban that enforces social distancing and bans mass gatherings. President Akufo-Addo ordered the ban on public gatherings of all forms. He also ordered the closure of schools and suspension of all conferences, funerals, religious events among others for that purpose
The NIA began mass registration for Ghana card in the Eastern Region on March 4, 2020 and will end on March 27, 2020.The Eastern Region, which is the region President Akufo-Addo hails from, is the last region the NIA will end its mass registration exercise.
In response to the criticisms, the NIA insists that its decision to carry on with the mass registration exercise in the Eastern Region does not violate the directives of President Nana Akufo-Addo concerning public gatherings in the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
NIA said given that it is observing the relevant protocols concerning social distancing, it does not find its decision to go ahead the registration as being against the directives of President Akufo-Addo.
But Manasseh believes there is no way the exercise will continue without Akufo-Addo’s consent.
“Let’s hold Nana Akufo-Addo responsible. The NIA is doing this to enhance his chances of winning the election. Prof. Ken Attafuah has no power to continue this without President Akufo-Addo’s instructions amd [sic] approval” he wrote.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), CHRAJ and the Economic Fighters League (EFL) have all called on the National Identification Authority (NIA) to suspend the ongoing mass registration exercises in the Eastern Region.
According to different statements issued by the groups, the NIA exposes the public to danger.The GMA in particular said the exercises being carried out defeats the precautionary measures issued by President Akufo-Addo in a televised address on Sunday as means to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
“It is the considered view of the GMA that these registration activities by the NIA if allowed to continue could create a fertile ground for potential spread of COVID-19, endangering the lives of the staff of the NIA, the communities involved and the entire nation.” They further suggested that should it go on, individuals should be self-isolated for two weeks.
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