The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has called on Ghanaians to boycott the National Identification Authority’s registration exercise.

In a statement copied to Joy News, FOSDA said they taken note of the various calls by the Ghana Medical Association, CHRAJ, CSOs and individuals for the NIA to suspend the registration process as per the directives of his Excellency the President of the Republic to no avail.

“The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases currently and the beginning of community spread of the disease in the country makes it imperative for citizens to protect themselves from the disease if state institutions such as the NIA are not willing to do same for various reasons.

“Citizens must put their safety first. We must comply strictly with the social distancing and other safety measures to ensure their safety and security to make any headway.”

While FOSDA understands the importance of the Ghana Card registration to future endeavours such as elections, at this crucial stage, it believes the lives of citizens must come first ahead of any other interests.

“While we entreat citizens to stay away from all such exercises, we also call on the NIA and the Government to suspend the registrations to avoid any further endangering of the lives of innocent citizens.

“As the President rightly said ‘these are not ordinary times’. The World Health Organisation has also declared this as a war against Corona Virus, and that is the approach we all have to take,” the statement added.

NIA has come under stern criticism after it refused to abort registration exercises in the Eastern after President Akufo-Addo banned mass gatherings in the country as a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus.

As a result of their refusal to halt the registration exercise, two people have filed a motion for an interlocutory injunction to be placed on the ongoing Ghana Card registration exercise.