Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has come in for praise from overwhelming number of social media users, following a government announcement that the Ghanacard will, from January next year, become mandatory for all insurance transactions.

According to a notice by the National Insurance Commission (NIC), all customers will be required to present a valid Ghana Card before completing any insurance transaction, that is for the purchase and renewal of insurance.

And with the Ghanacard becoming synonymous with Bawumia, due to how he championed its implementation and highlighted its importance, coupled with how the then opposition NDC mocked him for prioritising the Ghanacard, many Ghanaians on social media believe Dr. Bawumia has won one over the NDC and the government.

In social media reactions, following the announcement of new directive, a number of users hailed Dr. Bawumia's vision as having a positive effect on the nation, with many also referencing how members of the then opposition NDC played down the importance of the Ghanacard.

"The stone that was castigated, rubbished and dishonoured has now become the cornerstone. The battle is still the Lord's," Yaw Darko, commented under the post.

"I fact, I now understand why Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia said that the Ghana is better than 1000 interchange. Wow this man is very visionary and futuristic," commented Salif Osman.

Another commentator, Osei-Tutu Avicenna, on his part, said "God bless Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. You laid a solid foundation for all this to be possible today. Ghana is grateful."

"Congratulations to Dr. Bawunia. I deed, Ghana card is important than 1000 intercahges," added another social media user by name Bkessborn Qwadwo Assuming, while another user, De-Chairman General simply referred to the development as "the Bawumia effect."

According to the National Insurance Commission, the move to make the use of the Ghanacard mandatory in all transactions, is aimed at improving claims handling and strengthening Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering measures within the insurance industry.

The Commission believes the use if the Ghanacard, will also help reduce fraud and align Ghana’s insurance sector with global financial services standards.

The Ghanacard has now become a mandatory requirement for the opening of bank accounts, as well as forall deposits and all withdrawals.

It is also mandatory for registering SIM cards with the telcos, and also for several other public-sector and private transactions.