Ghana Businesses Welcome Ecowas Biometric Ids

Business unions in Ghana have welcomed a decision by leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to abolish residence permits and issue biometric IDs for the citizens of member states.



"It's welcome news if ECOWAS heads-of-state recommit themselves to the effectiveness of regional integration," Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) President James Asare-Adjei told Anadolu Agency.



Meeting in Accra on July 10, ECOWAS leaders approved the abolition of residence permits for citizens of member countries.



They also adopted a proposal for the introduction of biometric identity cards for ECOWAS citizens pending a "security appraisal" to review the measure's security implications.



Approval of the resolution means all citizens can reside in any ECOWAS member country without a residence permit.



Currently, citizens of member states can stay in other member countries without a visa for no more than 90 days.



The abolition of residence permits is aimed at boosting regional economic performance and consolidating a common market for the sub-region.



The move will not only encourage trade across borders, but also trade within borders by citizens from member states.



"As a business association, we are calling for a more rapid approach to having this integration become reality," said Asare-Adjei.



"Currently, figures will show that trade among ECOWAS states is just about 11 percent," he added. "Some blocs, like the EU, can go as high as about 70 percent."



The AGI president said Ghanaian industries would not be swallowed up by visiting businesses.



"If we are competitive, we can be attractive anywhere in the sub-region," he asserted.



-Cautious-



One body that has been fighting foreign dominance in Ghanaian markets is the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA).



When contacted by AA, GUTA President George Ofori said: "If they are going to have biometric cards, I don't think it is a big deal to anyone in this country."



He hastened to add, however, that "our investment laws are still in place and all these West African countries have different investment laws which they are operating."



"So for us, once the investment laws have not been harmonized to have one common law for the sub-region, you can come and become a citizen… but the law is still there to act as a check and balance," said Ofori.



Meanwhile, Ghana Immigration Service officials believe the abolition of residence permits will be "challenging."



"We have challenges regulating activities of ECOWAS nationals," Francis Palm Deti, the immigration service's public relations officer, told AA.



"If individuals reside in a country illegitimately, it means that they are prone to breaking the law," he said.



"What guarantee is there that when we give them free access and residence permits to live within our jurisdiction they will not go on to break further laws?" Deti asked.



He urged Ghana to review the proposal critically before adopting it.



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Greater Accra