Yayra Koku Deku is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Yayra Koku Deku, has responded to critics who have accused him of using Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s digitalisation ideas.
Some critics sharply criticised Yayra Koku Deku after he publicly announced plans to link the Ghana Card to Mobile Money and bank accounts.
In his post in question, he also stated his intention to transform the Ghana Card into a driver’s license, streamline passport applications through the card, and link it to toll booth apps for a smoother payment process.
However, shortly after making the post, many Ghanaians flooded the comments section, pointing out what they called his ignorance regarding the existing functions of the Ghana Card.
Respondents wasted no time in reminding Yayra Koku of the extensive work spearheaded by former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the integration of the Ghana Card into Ghana’s financial and national identity systems.
In response to the reactions following his announcement, Yayra Koku Deku took to his social media accounts on Friday, February 7, 2025, to clarify the matter.
He posted the existing guidelines and regulations of the National Identification Authority to educate the public on the distinction between linking the Ghana Card to bank accounts and Mobile Money (Momo) for identification and verification purposes, and linking the card to these platforms to enable payment transactions.
He further emphasised that the regulation, LI 2111 Regulation 7(1) (2012) of the NIA, has been in place since its establishment in 2012, well before the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration took office in 2016, dismissing claims that the initiative was Dr. Bawumia’s sole idea.
“LET US EDUCATE OURSELVES SMALL – There is a significant distinction between linking your Ghana card to your bank accounts and Momo for identification and verification purposes (LI 2111 Regulation 7(1) (2012)) and linking your Ghana card to your bank accounts and Momo to enable you use your Ghana card for payment.
“Please know the difference. LI 2111 Regulation 7(1) (2012) makes it clear that the Ghana card must be used for any transaction requiring identification (that is the linkage). This legislation was passed in 2012. That is why you will need your Ghana card before opening a bank account or registering a SIM card. So, linking your Ghana card to your accounts was established in 2012 by LI 2111. Let us not confuse ourselves, please,” he posted.
Read his post below:
LET US EDUCATE OURSELVES SMALL –
There is a significant distinction between linking your Ghana card to your bank accounts and Momo for identification and verification purposes (LI 2111 Regulation 7(1) (2012)) and linking your Ghana card to your bank accounts and Momo to enable… pic.twitter.com/S3vfSj0M35
— Yayra Koku (@YayraKoku) February 7, 2025
MAG/AE
In the meantime, find out why Duncan-Williams cried after seeing Akufo-Addo, Mahama together