The Acting Executive Secretary for the Ghana Refugee Board, Padi Tetteh, has commended the National Identification Authority (NIA) for the commencement of the issuance of Ghana Cards to refugees living in the country.

The NIA has commenced issuance of the Ghana Card to refugees to enable them access some social services in the country.

Some 700 refugees, are expected to be issued with the cards.

Mr Tetteh described the move by the NIA as a step in the right direction.

“Due to the fact that we are signatories to the UN Refugee Convention and also the fact that we are governed by the Ghana Refugee Law, we are to ensure that refugees have access to social services, and it is important that they do so in order to allow them to earn a living,” he said.

The Acting Secretary of the Ghana Refugees Board, however, indicated that the refugees are not granted nationality status with the issuance of the card.

“It is important to note that the card doesn’t grant them nationality, and they don’t have the right to vote. 

“The only thing is that the card gives them the right to social services in order to live in safety and dignity,” he explained.