Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana (CARE Ghana) has formally urged the adoption of the Ghana Card as the exclusive identification document for voting. This change would apply to all public elections and referenda across the country.
David Kumi Addo, Executive Director of CARE Ghana, stated that Ghana should transition from the current voter identification card system. He believes a more efficient, credible, and modern electoral identification framework, anchored on the Ghana Card, is necessary. This reform aims to eliminate the duplication of resources and administrative inefficiencies that plague the existing dual system.
Maintaining separate national identification and voter identification systems has resulted in recurring political controversies and significant financial costs. These costs are borne by Ghanaian taxpayers. The continued use of the Voter ID Card as a distinct system no longer serves Ghana's best interests, according to CARE Ghana. This practice diverts substantial public resources that could be better spent on other critical areas of governance.
The Ghana Card has emerged as Ghana’s most credible and comprehensive national identification document. It contains both biometric and demographic data. It also links to multiple national databases, enhancing its utility and reliability. This card is already the primary identification for banking services, passport acquisition, SIM card registration, taxation, and access to social services. It also facilitates other public transactions. This widespread acceptance and integration make it a robust candidate for a unified electoral identification system.
CARE Ghana argues that there is no valid justification for Ghana to continue investing substantial public resources in maintaining a separate voter identification system. They propose that using the Ghana Card as the sole voting credential would significantly strengthen electoral transparency. This would also reduce opportunities for electoral fraud and improve public confidence in the electoral process. The reform could help eliminate disputes and tensions that often characterise voter registration exercises ahead of general elections.
Periodic voter registration exercises have become among the most contentious activities on Ghana’s electoral calendar. These exercises frequently generate allegations of manipulation and voter suppression. They also spark disputes over eligibility requirements and contribute to unnecessary political polarisation. According to CARE Ghana, using the Ghana Card as the sole source document for electoral eligibility would minimise these challenges. It would establish a more objective and verifiable system for voter qualification.
This reform also offers substantial financial benefits, as Ghana spends millions of cedis annually on voter registration exercises. These expenses include the exhibition of voter registers, replacement of voter identification cards, and related administrative activities. Redirecting these resources towards voter education, electoral technology, and election security could significantly improve democratic governance. The adoption of the Ghana Card would also support the creation of a single national database for electoral purposes. This would enhance accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in voter identification and verification.
CARE Ghana proposes that every Ghanaian citizen who has reached the constitutional voting age and possesses a valid Ghana Card should automatically qualify to vote. This would be subject to the provisions of the Constitution and existing electoral laws. The organisation has called on Parliament, the Electoral Commission, the National Identification Authority, political parties, and civil society organisations to begin a national dialogue. This dialogue should focus on the legislative reforms required to make the Ghana Card the sole identification document for voting. The proposed reform aims to strengthen electoral integrity, reduce electoral costs, and improve administrative efficiency.