Formalizing Ghana’s Economy through an Implementation of National Identification System: Issues and Perspectives

Abstract

The demand for national identification systems by economies across the globe is on the ascendency in recent years. The increasing demand could be attributed to a number of factors including internal and external insecurity emanating from terrorism threats, fraudulent activities in the financial sub-sector, challenges inherent in equitable distribution of welfare benefits to targeted beneficiaries, among others. However, availability of accurate and authentic data for effective national planning and development remains a challenge to many countries. Although some economies have made significant strides in their quest to effectively document their citizens and non-citizens resident therein to ensure efficiency in policy implementation, this remains a mirage in many other countries across the globe, including Ghana. The present study sought to examine how the adaptation and implementation of a national identification system could facilitate formalization of the Ghanaian economy to accelerate her intended development and growth in all sectors. The systematic exploratory technique, an example of the mixed methods approach to scientific inquiry, was adapted for this research. That is, the research was conducted with strong qualitative leanings though elements of both qualitative and quantitative methods were present. Secondary sources were identified as the most reliable means of gathering relevant data for the present study. These included text books, peer-reviewed articles in journals, news paper publications, and the Internet, among other sources. Findings from the study revealed adaption and implementation of national identification systems have yielded varied socio-economic results in some emerging and developing economies across the globe. Several enactments have been passed by the Parliament of Ghana and received Presidential assents to ensure the adaption and implementation of a national identification system in the country. The research outcomes revealed some socio-economic benefits to be derived from the Government’s decision to adapt, install, and implement national identification system in Ghana as well as challenges that could mar the realization of those socio-economic benefits. The study recommended the need for the National Identification Authority (NIA) to adapt and implement the smart integrated system; and ensure its staffs are adequately resourced in terms of training and equipment to facilitate harmonization and integration of all public data into one data warehouse. The study further recommended the need for effective prioritization of functions of the NIA; and use of an individual’s fingerprints as a unique identification in proxy for a missing or misplaced identity card. The new national identity card must be friendly to the visually-impaired; it must include a tactile feature to ease its usage by the visually-impaired. The Board and Management of the NIA must ensure value-for-money by adapting the right system for the registration process. Protection of citizens’ and non-citizens’ sensitive information must be of utmost concern to the NIA; sophisticated technology that could protect registrants’ data against hacking should be acquired and used by the NIA. It must ensure strict adherence to and implementation of the content of the Data Protection Act of 2012, Act 843 to assure the privacy of all registrants.