A private legal practitioner and seasoned Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) expert, Alex Nartey, has strongly condemned the ongoing standoff between the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), describing it as a “total setback” to Ghana’s digitalization and economic growth agenda.
Mr. Nartey, who is the immediate past National Director of ADR at the Judicial Service, expressed deep concern about the implications of the move, which has disrupted key revenue and security operations across the country.
Speaking in reaction to the NIA’s recent decision to disconnect the GRA from its Identity Verification Service (IVS) platform over unpaid debts, the private legal practitioner called for swift Cabinet intervention.
“This friction is in bad taste,” he said. “It should not take the President of the land 24 hours to address it. If the NIA CEO took this decision single-handedly, then it was against the general interest of Ghana and must be sanctioned.”
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The NIA reportedly cut off the GRA’s access to its IVS system due to a debt of nearly GH₵376 million. The Ghana Card, issued by the NIA, has become central to identity verification for tax and trade purposes, making the disconnection a major blow to revenue mobilization efforts.
Mr. Nartey emphasized that digitalization has proven to be a critical solution to longstanding inefficiencies in Ghana’s public sector, particularly in security and revenue collection.
“The linkage between GRA systems and the Ghana Card simplified operations and improved outcomes. This collaboration between state institutions is sacred, like a divine arrangement, and should not be undermined by internal friction.”
He questioned the rationale behind the NIA’s action, asking, “For whom is the NIA collecting the debt? It’s still state revenue.”
He further urged public officials to rise above personal limitations and emotions in decision-making, stressing that their mandate is to serve Ghana’s collective interest.
“Whether the decision came from Cabinet or not, it is a bad one and must be resisted. The heads of both institutions should be queried. It appears wisdom was not fully explored before this move,” he added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh / Barbara Yeboah
