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Everything is set for the historic issuance of National Identification Numbers, known as Ghana Card Numbers, to newborn babies in Ghana, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has announced.
This follows the successful integration of the databases of the Births and Deaths Registry, the National Identification Authority and the Ghana Health Service.
The Vice President, who made the unveiling on Saturday, July 22, 2023, said the first such Ghana Card number was issued to a newborn baby on Friday, July 21, 2023 after a successful test run of the system.
“The work to integrate the databases has been completed. The full test was done yesterday and I am happy to say that the first Ghana Card number for a baby was issued yesterday.
“So from next month, all babies born in Ghana, once they bring them to Weigh In, will get the Ghana Card number and get their birth certificate identification number at the same time, because the two databases talk to each other.”
“This is very transformational,” Dr Bawumia noted, explaining that they will have these numbers from when they are babies until they pass away.
National Identification Authority (NIA) officials say cards containing the biometrics and other data will be issued to the children when they are older, after their digits and other characteristics are fully formed.
Dr. Speaking in Cape Coast at the 75th anniversary celebrations of Ghana National College, Bawumia stressed that the issuance of ID numbers at birth was an integral part of the government’s ongoing digitization agenda, designed to prepare the nation for full participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Ghana Card is increasingly becoming the sole source of proof of identity, with the unique number serving several purposes, including Social Security, Health Insurance and Tax ID number.
Ghana National College
Vice President Bawumia praised the impact Ghana National College has had on pre- and post-colonial life in Ghana and challenged management, staff and students in educational institutions to embrace the possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve education, problem solving and critical thinking. He noted that it could be used meaningfully to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries.
“If we agree that the boys and girls in our schools today are being trained to compete on the global stage, then there is every reason to expose our students to AI.
“The government’s ongoing digitization agenda is a testament to its appreciation for AI and its commitment to ensuring this country is not left behind. We have focused on pursuing digitization as part of our economic strategy, as the fourth industrial revolution is upon us and we need to be part of the modern world…
“While the government will do its part by taking the lead in charting a path towards the deployment of meaningful AI in our national lives, I expect our education authorities to devise and implement innovative education strategies in which ICT is a key ingredient,” he added.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
This press release is issued by APO. The content is not checked by the African Business editors and none of the content has been checked or validated by our editors, proofreaders or fact-checkers. The publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Issuing Ghana Card Number To Newborns Ready To Take Off – Dr. Bawumia
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