Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken aim at Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, accusing him of misleading Ghanaians about his role in the country’s digitalization efforts.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer described some of Dr. Bawumia’s claims as exaggerated, particularly the assertion that the Ghana Card enables international travel.
Speaking during his tour of the Ashanti Region, Mr. Mahama referenced an incident during the commissioning of the E-Gates at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
He claimed that Dr. Bawumia experienced a delay when attempting to use the new system with his passport, raising questions about the Vice President’s touted achievements in digitalization.
Mocking the Vice President, Mr. Mahama quipped, “The digital gate didn’t open for the digital man.” He further criticized Dr. Bawumia’s digitalization agenda, adding, “You can do all the propaganda you want about digitalization, but if the fundamentals are weak, the digital gate will expose you.”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday, December 3, inaugurated state-of-the-art E-Gates at Terminal 3 of KIA, hailing it as a transformative step in Ghana’s digitalization drive.
The system, which integrates technologies like Artificial Intelligence, biometrics, and real-time data processing, is designed to streamline immigration processes by allowing travellers to use the Ghana Card for seamless entry.
During the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Bawumia described the initiative as a bold step toward modernizing Ghana’s border management. “With these E-Gates, Ghana is leading the way in Africa by leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide a faster, more efficient, and secure travel experience,” he said.
The E-Gates eliminate the need for traditional immigration checks, enabling travellers to clear immigration in seconds.
The system also supports E-visa integration and a fully digital travel process, signalling Ghana’s readiness for a future defined by innovation in border management.
The E-Gate malfunction incident has sparked a political debate, with the NDC using it to question the credibility of the Vice President’s digitalization agenda.
Meanwhile, the government maintains that the initiative is a landmark achievement in Ghana’s push toward modernizing public services and enhancing the travel experience.
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