Head of Training at the National Identification Authority (NIA), Abdul Ganiru, has said the ongoing Ghana Card registration will cost the government $1.4 billion for its operationalisation for the next 15 years.

His revelation comes on the back of allegations that the government has given the Authority the 15-year operational estimated sum to implement the policy.

Speaking on Adom FM’s current affairs show, Burning Issues on Wednesday, May 8 2019, Mr Ganiru indicated that the current exercise that seeks to register all Ghanaians will cost $293 million with the government bearing $124 million.

He explains that the remaining $169 million would be borne by partners of the NIA.

The exercise that is spanning between April 2019 and March 2020 will register citizens above 15 years after which nationals below 15 years would be registered in their respective schools and yet to be created NIA district centres across the country.

Mr Ganiru further explained the Authority has adopted an alternative method to get citizens residing in places without internet connectivity to get their cards.

He said the information of such people would be collected after which their cards would be printed at the nearest district capitals where there is connectivity for the cards to be distributed afterwards.

Touching on registration of foreigners, Mr Ganiru indicated “foreigners with a legal residence permit would be issued with a non-resident card which is different from the Ghana Card,” making it illegal for expatriates to register.

Meanwhile, a staff of the NIA who attempted to register two Nigerians to obtain the cards has been arrested by the Abossey Okai Police in Accra.

Timothy Wuni, 26, a Data Input Officer of the NIA at Abossey Okai Central Mosque registration centre was reported to have taken GH¢60 from a former staff to assist in the registration of Alhassan Abdul Samed and Abubakar Ruali who are both Nigerians.

The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, DSP Effia Tenge confirmed the story saying investigations are ongoing.