Banks Reject New Ghana Id Card

Some banks in Ghana have been accused of turning away would-be and existing customers with the new Ghana Card, issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA) for transactions. Authorities of the NIA are unhappy with the development that has also angered many customers. They contend that the national identity card is legal and therefore the banks have to accept it for any form of transaction. The banks, the NIA insisted, are legally bound to accept the card together with the other nationally accepted form of identification such as the Voters' ID, national passports, driving license among others. But holders of the Ghana Card have complained that the banks are still refusing to transact business with them. The public relations officer for the NIA, Bertha Dzebley, said her outfit will meet the banks to orient them on the need to accept the new national card. “We will take it up as a challenge as an institution and we will liaise with the banks so they understand that the cards are safe and it will be very useful,” Dzebley promised in an interview with Citi News. The NIA completed phase one and two of the card distribution in the Ablekuma South, Osu klottey, Ashiedu Keteke, Ayawaso and Kpeshie, Ga East and Ga West in that order, earlier in July.