Ignore the ICAO’s misconception, the Ghana Card is valid as an e-passport : Bawumia’s Aide

Dr. Gideon Boako, speaking on behalf of the Vice President’s Office, has urged Ghanaians to disregard the incorrect interpretation of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) statement on the GhanaCard.

According to him, “Just like our current normal booklet passport, you will need ICAO to approve and capture the data into their Public Key Directory (PKD) for certification before any country can accept it as official travel documents”.

Such key ceremony certification, as was done in the case of the Ghana card on February 9th, is the final step before any national identity card/passport can be used for travel.

He stated that: “Ghana has crossed this stage with respect to the Ghana card. Making it officially certified as having the right qualities to be admissible by receiving countries as e-passport subject to country-to-country bilateral agreements.”

He emphasized that: “Through the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), official communication has gone to all border ports that Ghana as a receiving country is accepting holders of the Ghana card into Ghana.”

The statement by ICAO that Ghana has crossed the major milestone in efforts to provide for more international acceptance of its biometric electronic travel documents is therefore not inconsistent with official communication from the government,” his statement said.

Dr. Boako indicated that “Also, Diasporan Ghanaians who hold the Ghanacard will not require a visa to travel to Ghana,” adding that “Within ECOWAS the Ghanacard can be used to travel to any country.”

He added that: “Traveling outside ECOWAS however, will require that you use your normal biometric passport which will contain your visas”.

Background

Recent rumors claiming that GhanaCard is now an e-passport are false, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

It is not ICAO’s job to certify the use of a State’s Identity Card in place of a passport for international travel, according to the agency.

This was revealed in a statement posted to the organization’s social media accounts.

“ICAO is aware of recent and incorrect media reports claiming that ICAO has agreed that the Ghanaian ID card is equivalent to an ePassport. However, it is not ICAO’s role to certify the use of a State’s Identity Card for international travel in place of a passport.”

It indicates that “A number of States worldwide accept specified national ID cards as identity documents during air travel based on bilateral agreement between issuing and receiving states. Any decision to accept such alternative travel identity documents is made by the receiving state itself”.

Read His Full Statement Below

Ignore the wrong interpretation of ICAO’s statement, Ghanacard is valid for travel as an e-passport.

Just like our current normal booklet passport, you will need ICAO to approve and capture the data into their Public Key Directory (PKD) for certification before any country can accept it as official travel documents.

Such key ceremony certification as was done on 9th February in the case of the Ghana card is the ultimate step to take before any national identity card/passport can be used for traveling purposes.

Ghana has crossed this stage with respect to the Ghanacard making it officially certified as having the right qualities to be admissible by receiving countries as e-passports subject to country-to-country bilateral agreements.

Through the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), official communication has gone to all border ports that Ghana as a receiving country is accepting holders of the Ghana card into Ghana.

The statement by ICAO that Ghana has crossed the major milestone in efforts to provide for more international acceptance of its biometric electronic travel documents is therefore not inconsistent with official communication from the government.

In practical terms, the holder of a Ghanacard will be allowed to board a flight to Ghana (receiving country) from any airport, just as with the normal biometric passport, without the need for a visa.

Also, Diasporan Ghanaians who hold the Ghanacard will not require a visa to travel to Ghana.

Within ECOWAS the Ghanacard can be used to travel to any country. Traveling outside ECOWAS however, will require that you use your normal biometric passport which will contain your visas.

In the not too distant future, we expect that electronic visas will be issued under ICAO 2.0 protocols. When this starts, electronic visas could be issued on the Ghana card under bilateral arrangements with other countries.

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