The National Identification Authority (NIA) officers have continued with the Ghana Card registration at some centres in the Eastern Region without any noticeable implementation of the novel coronavirus prevention measures.
After the government announced new public gathering advisories following the detection of new coronavirus cases in Ghana, the NIA however said the registration exercise would continue with preventive measures to help curb the spread of the virus.
But something as basic as water for regular handwashing was not readily available at some centres.
After some of the officers raised concerns over the continuation of the process, the NIA said its officers were expected to adhere to preventive measures such as the washing of hands frequently and social distancing.
The unavailability of the safety logistics compelled field officers in some parts of the Birim Central and South Districts, Afram Plains, New Juaben North and South Municipalities to declare a sit-down strike as they believe their lives were in danger without the safety logistics.
The centres are also attracting significant numbers with some applicants saying they will chase that card as long as the process is ongoing.
“There is nothing you can do, you have to get it. But if they are asked to stop or hold on, we can hold on and come when they resume,” one woman said to Citi News.
According to the NIA’s safety measures, no more than 25 field officers are to be at a registration centre at a given time.
In dealing with applicants, officers were also directed to take the particulars of the applicants when they arrive at the centres.
The applicants are then to wait for a call to visit the registration centre at a specified date and time on an appointment basis.
Officers are also supposed to keep a social distance of two metres when interacting with the public.
The iris scanners which capture biometric data are supposed to be wiped down after each applicant uses them.
According to NIA, it will, however, be unable to provide sanitizers for the officers on the field because of “an acute shortage.”
It assured that it is intensifying efforts to procure sanitizers for distribution to field officers.