The Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has called on government to replace the National Identification Cards of victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
According to him, despite countless calls by the legislators of the affected area, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, nothing has been done to replace it.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on February 21, he said, “We cannot replace our cards; it is a shame. Mr Speaker, I want to call on you, the right-honourable speaker, to direct this government to make sure any citizen who has lost his card through this spillage should go and register.”
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, added that individuals affected by the floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam should not be disenfranchised in the 2024 elections.
He emphasised the need for the Electoral Commission (EC) to take practical steps to ensure that all those who lost their voter identification cards have them replaced.
Mr Ablakwa highlighted that it is not enough for the EC to suggest that affected individuals can vote without their cards, as they may face unwarranted challenges and frustration from party agents and others who may refuse to allow them to vote without proper identification.
“The time has come for the relevant public institution to carry out a special and comprehensive exercise in all affected constituencies by immediately replacing these important IDs and documents.
“The institutions of concern are the health insurance authority, the National Identification Authority, the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the birth and death registry of Ghana, and the passport office,” he said.
The MP emphasised that the identity cards should be promptly replaced free of charge for the flood victims on humanitarian grounds.
He urged the Speaker to intervene and compel government to initiate the replacement process.
Additionally, he urged government to initiate efforts for the resettlement and compensation of those impacted by the flood.
Source: myjoyonline.com / Isaac Kafui Nyanyovor
