Report by ISAAC BOAMAH Use indigenous solutions to solve Ghana’s problems – Jospong Group Chairman
The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong has charged Ghanaians to seek indigenous solutions to turn Ghana’s situation around.
He explained that instead of succumbing to the economic challenges facing the country, Ghanaians should unleash the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in them.
Speaking at the Group’s Annual Thanksgiving Service on Friday December 8, at its headquarters in Accra, the Executive Chairman said that just as the lepers in 2Kings 7:8 did and succeeded by using their own available local resources, he trusts that God will deliver Ghana from it’s current predicament if the nation depends on home grown solutions.
“Just as the lepers relied on their own initiatives, and they succeeded. If we are determined to use whatever strength and limited resources God has bestowed on us, we shall succeed!
He was of the view that even though this year has presented formidable global challenges, and Ghana has not been exempted, Ghanaians should not succumb to these economic challenges, but rather unleash the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in Ghanaians.
“It is imperative that we seek indigenous solutions to diminish our reliance on foreign products.
The time has come for us to bolster our domestic production, ensuring that we prioritize consuming what we manufacture to alleviate the persistent strain on the cedi. With a steadfast belief in the Almighty’s grace, I am confident that prioritizing localization will lead us to emerge victoriously from these challenges,” he emphasized.
The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Dr. Freda Prempeh in a short remark reiterated that her Ministry will continue to support the private sector to keep the country clean.
She noted that Jospong Group’s recent achievement of gaining Internationally Transfered Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO) authorisation at the COP 28 is not only commendable but a testament for others to follow.
She therefore commended President Nana Addo for his vision in establishing the ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources which has facilitated great achievements for the country.
“Together we will overcome sanitation challenges and grow from strength to strength,” she prayed.
The Guest Minister for the event, Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh, the president of the Apostolic Church of Ghana, preaching on the theme; “Be grateful enough to return” praised the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group for the annual week long thanksgiving service and for organising it year after year without fail regardless of the difficulties that the company may be going through.
“It takes a level of thankfulness to return to be grateful” he noted.
Citing Luke 17:15, “When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back. He praised God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him, he said “And when you return to say thank you the Spirit shall empower you to do more”.
Touching on election 2024, Dr. Ami-Narh stated that the God who has seen Ghana through several elections, will also see the country through the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
Dr. Agyepong took opportunity to thank staff and management of the Jospong Group of Companies for their support over the years. He also commended all the ministers of state and members of parliament and all individuals and institutions that have supported the Group in one way or the other in the past years.
This stems from the fact that financial inclusion through national IDs could contribute to poverty reduction by providing opportunities for economic participation and empowerment. Again, a more inclusive financial system contributes to economic stability and resilience by broadening the base of consumers and reducing inequality. Thus, a national identification system is instrumental in breaking down barriers to financial inclusion. They empower individuals by granting them access to formal financial services, fostering economic growth, reducing poverty, and promoting a more equitable society. With the benefits of the National ID System discussed, I turn to why it is necessary to issue ID numbers at birth.
BENEFITS OF ISSUING NATIONAL ID NUMBERS AT BIRTH
Issuing national ID numbers to newborns at birth comes with many benefits.
The acceptance and use of an ID system by the business community are hinged on the very credibility of such a system. Thus, system credibility is perhaps the single most important reason why I advocate the issuance of ID numbers at birth. Issuing ID numbers at birth rather than waiting till later years helps to curb opportunities for identity theft and fraud. The existing framework of birth registration system obviously leaves room for the operations of ‘goro boys’ and other middlemen who use illicit means to alter or steal identities for various reasons, sometimes for criminal purposes. In the long term, issuing ID numbers to all persons born in the country will
mean that by adulthood, such persons can be traced right to their birth. It is a process that stands to strengthen the confidence in the Ghana Card, encouraging people and institutions to do business with it.
Further, issuing ID numbers at birth has the potential to dramatically reduce crime in the country. Economic activity thrives in a convivial environment and any policy that stands to reduce crime is good for the business community. Often, criminals use identity theft and manipulation to secure communications media in planning their activities. It is not uncommon for cyber criminals to register sim cards and other communications devices with fake identities. The activities of these criminals present a challenge to the current digitalization drive of the government and ultimately stifles businesses operating in that space. Opportunities to manipulate identity systems, register sim cards and use various communications channels for criminal purposes stand to be significantly reduced with the introduction of national identification at birth.
Thus, for the sake of system credibility, security and need to realize the full benefits of the National Identification System, I strongly support the issuance of ID numbers to babies at birth.
LIMITATIONS AND CONCERNS OF ISSUING NATIONAL ID NUMBERS TO NEWBORNS AT BIRTH
Critics have identified some limitations of the policy as follows:
There is concern about privacy infringement. Though issuing national ID numbers to newborns at birth could lower the number of identity theft cases, some people are concerned that when this is done, personal information could be misused by the government.
Finally, there is the worry that due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, there may be long queues for parents to obtain national ID numbers for their newborns. As such, there may be newborns put at a disadvantage since they will not get their national ID numbers at birth.
However, it is important to note that these concerns could be addressed by laws and regulations on the Ghana national identification system. Furthermore, these regulations should be reinforced by the Data Protection Authority. On the long queues, it is important to note that the Ghanaian government and the NIA have chosen inclusive options, such as initiating a mass registration drive from community to community, providing the Ghana card at no cost and setting up a National Identification Authority office in every district.
CONCLUSION