'We're of sterling integrity; we can't be criminalized' — NIA hits back at Omane Boamah

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has rebutted claims by former Communications Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah that it has been criminalized by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In a press release dated May 21, the NIA denied allegations that its ongoing Ghana Card registration exercise in Pusiga, Upper East Region, was politically motivated.

Dr. Omane Boamah, Director of Elections for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), had insinuated in a Facebook post that the exercise was meant to assist "illegal voters" register ahead of the upcoming general elections in December.

But the NIA said it "flatly denies each and every one of the allegations" made by Dr. Boamah.

Responding to the claim that it has been criminalized by the NPP, the NIA stated "The NIA has NOT been criminalized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or any other entity whatsoever and howsoever described."

It added that "The Governing Board and Senior Management of the NIA comprise men and women of sterling integrity and unalloyed patriotism who will not countenance the criminalization of NIA’s operations by any entity or yield to any improper considerations in the discharge of their duties."

The authority said the ongoing biometric registration exercise in Pusiga, which is being conducted in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, is aimed at improving identification and security along Ghana's border with Burkina Faso.

It added that the suggestion the exercise was intended to help illegal voters was "spurious and unfounded".