𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐃 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝

In preparation for the production of Sierra Leone’s first Biometric Multi-Purpose ID Cards for its citizens, ECOWAS Nationals and other Foreign Residents, the Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) spared no time to make sure that our country meets international standards that holders of Sierra Leone ID Cards will be proud of.

The Director General Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI initiated formal contact with the Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) through its Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration Department Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng to provide technical guidance and specifications for the ECOWAS ID Card.

In response to the Director General’s request, the ECOWAS Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng confirmed in a correspondence dated 22nd April, 2020 with reference SLHC/ABJ/ECW/225/020/036, “I hereby forward the attached ECOWAS Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) specifications for your information and necessary action”.

Following receipt of the ECOWAS specifications, the NCRA in collaboration with its partners including the European Union Technical Assistance Team continued with progress that culminated into the design and development of the ID Cards that is consistent with international standards.

The NCRA is preparing to launch the Multi-Purpose ID Cards and ID Verification System to address the perennial challenge residents of Sierra Leone have endured for nearly a decade for lack of identity sometimes causing deprivation to access critical services in the country.

While the NCRA progress is on track to launch the production and issuance of the various categories of ID Cards, the NCRA Director General cognisant of the need to ensure Sierra Leone is on track with prescribed international standards, ECOWAS Protocol in particular, again contacted the ECOWAS Commission through its designated channel to inform the Commission that though the process to produce ID Cards (ECOWAS Compliant ID Cards) has been concluded, the Authority still needed the ECOWAS Commission to review the design done by Sierra Leone and to advise its compliance with ECOWAS specifications.

In a formal response to the Director General’s request dated December, 8th, 2022, Director Albert Siaw-Boateng said “I have looked at the design and it matches the specimen you have designed.

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Asked why the Director General had to go through such consultations from ECOWAS, Mr. MASSAQUOI smiled and said “I did not want to cause any embarrassment for my President and my country. He added that some other ECOWAS countries that had started ECOWAS ID Card production were advised to discontinue because their ID Cards were not compliant with ECOWAS specifications. We cannot afford to experience that. Besides I do things carefully and thoroughly so that I don’t fail” NCRA Director General opined.

So, in all of these, Sierra Leoneans will be assured that the ID Cards are of high quality with resounding security features and specifications that are in line with international standards which allow holders of such ID Cards unfettered movement within ECOWAS member counties as well as guarantee migration and trade integration; a principle behind the introduction of and use of a common ID within the ECOWAS sub region.

Director General MASSAQUOI has expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Director of Free Movement and the European Union for their technical support throughout the process.

He further assured the public that His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio will officially launch the production of ID Cards (ECOWAS, National and Non-National) on the 30th January, 2023.

In a relaxed mood, DG MASASQUOI added that access to ID Cards is decentralized; no one should be bothered with movement to Freetown to acquire ID Card. This move is key to His Excellency, the President in order to assuage the suffering of our people who, from the 30th January, 2023 will be reliably identified and will have consistency in their personal information; a process that will surely disrupt and halt dynamism of people’s personal information in Sierra Leone where people have multiple births and deaths dates as well as proxy deaths among others. This nefarious practice has for long characterised personal identity causing embarrassment to our country. We have waged a war on identity manipulation, a war we must win for future generations.

Legal Identity is your Right. Enjoy It!