Amanda Hammar and Susann Heidecke launch ID-OLOGY podcast
Amanda Hammar and Susann Heidecke launch ID-OLOGY, a seven-part podcast series on changing national ID systems in Africa, based on research from CERTIZENS (Certifications of Citizenship in Africa) research team
Amanda Hammar (Professor at CAS and formerly PI) and Susann Heidecke (independent researcher and previously project assistant) from the CERTIZENS research project have taken an important step in launching the project’s research to a broad audience: they have developed and produced a seven-part podcast series titled ID-OLOGY based on findings from the CERTIZENS research team.
The ID-OLOGY podcast asks such questions as: What are the logics and interests that drive the adoption of the new national ID systems? What changes for both states and citizens with the introduction of these systems? And why do the new ID systems have such extremely uneven effects despite aiming to fulfil the promise of legal identity for all? The episodes are based on well-grounded empirical research mainly in Ghana and Uganda, and feature conversations with selected members of the CERTIZENS team.
Two out of seven episodes have already been released to podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple and the free web player SimpleCast). The remaining five will follow every two weeks.
Episode 1, titled 'Changing ID systems in Africa – for better or worse?' examines whether or not the new national ID-systems being introduced across Africa deliver on their promise to improve the lives of all citizens. Professor Amanda Hammar who led the CERTIZENS research project explains what an ID system is, what logics and conditions generated the rapid expansion of digitised national ID systems on the continent, and why Heidecke and Hammar as co-producers named this series ID-OLOGY.
Episode 2, titled 'Centralisation: logics, practices and effects of a single national ID' asks how the shift towards one single, compulsory national ID and a centralized national ID authority affect especially border populations in Ghana. Agnes Doe Agbanyo, PhD student and CERTIZENS researcher explains what is behind the introduction of the GhanaCard which supersedes all other forms of ID in Ghana. She also shows how the unfulfilled promise of improved access and mobility threatens both the livelihoods and social and civic relations of those who live far away from the country’s administrative centre.
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