PPP Jabs NDC Over Ghana Card

The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has slummed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what it says is the party’s hypocritical approach to the controversy surrounding the Ghana Card.

According to the party, it is unfortunate for the NDC to pass a law that supports the mandate of the National Identification Authority and yet turn around to fight its implementation.

At a news conference in Accra yesterday, the PPP’s Policy Advisor, Kofi Asamoah- Siaw said the NDC could not be allowed to continue their disservice to Ghana even in opposition adding that “We want our cards now and nothing should be allowed to derail such an important national exercise”.

“In fact, the NDC supported the report and to quote Alhaji Inusah Abdulai (MP, Tamale Central) “Mr. Speaker, there is no controversy in the amendments which seeks to expand the field of information up to date with modern trends”, the PPP made reference to the Hansard of Parliament.

He said “We need to demonstrate competence in managing our own affairs by raising a credible national database; which objective cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political mischief and unbridled propaganda.”

While stressing that the NDC must allow the process to continue, he described the project as another venture to cause financial loss to the state.

“The work the NIA did in the process can at best be described as another financial loss to the tax payer because the NDC MPs argued that documents available to them is $1.4 billion but the actual cost was known to be $1,221,476,123 and a tax exemption of $176million.”

The PPP Policy Advisor emphatically indicated that the Ghana Card, a public policy decision passed into law, Act 707 which was given assent by former President John Agyekum Kufour on 18 April 2006 has been scandalized by the attempt of the NDC MPS to scuttle this national exercise for the second time.

Mr. Asamoah- Siaw alleged that the NDC claims the CEO of the NIA, Prof. Ken Attafuah, is on record as saying it will cost the nation $293million and not $1.4billion.

These statistics according to the PPP does not tally and therefore calls on the committee of parliament to invite the NIA and scrutinize the cost and report their findings to the people of Ghana.

The party assured Ghanaians that PPP will redeem its pledge and continue to be an active agent for change as a political party in opposition,

“We wish to assure the people of Ghana that we will remain resolute in our quest to deepen the democratic credentials of Ghana, and not shy away from actions that will ensure its success.”

By: Hannah Bonful & Sandra Amevor