The Ghana National Bureau has revealed plans to digitise the issuance and authentication of the ECOWAS Brown Insurance Card to motorists that undertake cross-border trading within the sub-region.
The move follows the integration of the ECOWAS Brown Card into the Motor Insurance Database (MID) system.
Speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance scheme held by the National Insurance Commission (NIC) on Monday, May 30, 2022, Chairman of the Ghana National Bureau, Henry Bukari, noted the move by the Bureau forms part of measures to curb the phenomenon of vehicles with fake motor insurance stickers plying the roads within the sub-region.
“The Bureau intends to digitise its system in the issuance and the authentication of the Brown Card going forward,” he stated.
Speaking further at the event, Mr Bukari advised insuring motorists to insist on their Brown Card certificate anytime they take a motor policy be it comprehensive or third-party policy as it is computed as part of motor premiums.
The 40th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme was organised under the theme “ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme: The Role of Key Stakeholders.”
Over the years, the Bureau has developed strong relationships with various stakeholders including the National Insurance Commission, Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana, Ghana Insurers Association, Insurance Brokers Association of Ghana, Borderless Alliance, Ghana Shippers Authority and the Ghana Haulage Transport Drivers/Owners Association.
These collaborations have produced significant accomplishments.
The Brown Card provides the motorist complete guarantee for a prompt, fair and immediate compensation for any accident he may cause outside his habitual residence country.
The cardholder is treated exactly as if the basic insurance policy was underwritten with a company located in the country visited or through which it transits.
Since the Brown Card is recognized by the government authorities, the motorist is exempted from any other formality relating to the guarantee against the risks of civil liability.
The objectives of the Brown Card include:
- To facilitate free movement for international motorists within the community.
- To enable international carriers to comply with motor vehicles insurance requirements in force in the community member countries.
- To enhance the development of trade and tourism exchanges among states.
- To establish a common scheme for the settlement of claims arising from free movement of goods and persons within ECOWAS.
- To offer to ECOWAS Insurance market the means to develop international links and exchanges
Source: norvanreports