Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: Ghana Card Not For Travelling
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has disclaimed that Ghana’s National Identity Card, popularly called the Ghana Card, has obtained international recognition as an electronic passport (E-passport).
This means that Ghanaians will have to still use their biometric passports even when travelling to any of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“At the moment, the Ghana Card cannot be used for travelling to other countries, either within or outside of ECOWAS”, Ayorkor Botchwey said.
She noted bilateral agreements will have to be established with countries for their authorities to accept the card as a travel document.
“The Ministry is in active discussions with ECOWAS member states and our bilateral partners to achieve this”, she added.
Addressing the August House on June 14, 2022, the Minister said the identity card will rather function as a supplement to the biometric.
“The Ghana Card is not a replacement for the current biometric passport. The Ghana card serves as an optional travel document to be used in tandem with our biometric passport. It must be underscored that the passport together with the travel certificates are the only approved travel documents that are internationally recognized”.
It is recalled that the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, after a Key Ceremony at the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, announced that the Ghana Card has been recognised as an electronic passport (E-passport).
Dr. Bawumia also noted that within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region, the Ghana Card can be used to travel to any country, however, travelling outside ECOWAS will require the use of the normal biometric passport which will contain visas.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
