According to former President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has misled Ghanaians about his involvement in the nation’s digitization initiatives.
A flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said that several of Dr. Bawumia’s assertions were overblown, especially the idea that the Ghana Card allows for foreign travel.
During his Ashanti Region tour, Mr. Mahama mentioned an event that occurred on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) during the commissioning of the E-Gates.
He questioned the Vice President’s lauded accomplishments in digitization, claiming that Dr. Bawumia encountered a delay when attempting to utilize the new system with his passport.
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.”
Modern E-Gates at KIA’s Terminal 3 were inaugurated by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday, December 3, who hailed the move as a revolutionary stride in Ghana’s digitization initiative.
By enabling travelers to utilize the Ghana Card for easy entrance, the system—which combines technology like artificial intelligence, biometrics, and real-time data processing—aims to expedite immigration procedures.
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.
By doing away with the necessity for conventional immigration checks, the E-Gates allow travelers to pass immigration in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, the technology facilitates the integration of E-visas and a completely digital travel process, indicating Ghana’s preparedness for a future characterized by innovative border management.
A political discussion has been triggered by the E-Gate malfunction issue, which the NDC is utilizing to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Vice President’s digitalization plan.
According to the government, the project is a significant step forward in Ghana’s efforts to improve travel and modernize public services.
Source: Citinewsroom