Gov't will consider Medical Assoc.'s advice on Ghana Card registration - Oppong Nkrumah

Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says government will consider Ghana Medical Association's advice on suspending the National Identification Authority's Ghana Card registration.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in a statement is demanding an immediate suspension of the Ghana card registration in the Eastern Region.

According to the association, the exercise by the NIA puts the whole country at risk. 

“In the interest of Public Health and Safety, the GMA calls on the National Identification Authority (NIA) to suspend with immediate effect the ongoing mass registration exercise in the Eastern Region. The mass registration exercise also defeats the spirit and letter of the directives (especially on mass gathering) issued by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana as part of the measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.”

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“It is the considered view of the GMA that these mass 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 in the process. This will undoubtedly be fatal for the country.”

But in response, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said their understanding is that the NIA is adhering to the social distancing directive.

He added that the government will consider the advice from the Ghana Medical Association. 

"Social gatherings have been suspended, other activities like businesses are allowed to continue but with the social distancing of not more than 25 people widely spread that is operating. Our understanding is that is what the NIA is doing currently but it is good we receive this advice from the Ghana Medical Association as the President continue reviewing all of the methods that have been put in place, it is an advice that will be considered."

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The government of Ghana on Sunday, March 15, 2020, as part of efforts to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) banned all public gatherings for four weeks.

“All public gatherings, including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious activities, such as services in churches and mosques, have been suspended for the next four (4) weeks.”