First-time Ghana card registration still free – NIA
By Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has reaffirmed that first-time registration for the Ghana Card remains free of charge at all its district offices across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra to mark this year’s National Identity Day, the Acting Executive Secretary of the NIA, Mr Wisdom Kwaku Deku, cautioned Ghanaians not to pay any unauthorised fees for services that are supposed to be free.
“First-time registration remains free of charge at all NIA district centres,” he stressed. “We urge citizens to report any attempts to extort money for this service.”
He explained that card replacement attracts a fee of GHS125, while updates requiring reprinting cost GHS60.
Legal Identity is a Right, Not a Privilege
The theme for this year’s Identity Day was “My Identity, My Umbrella.” Mr Deku used the occasion to emphasise the importance of legal identity, describing it as a fundamental human right and not a privilege.
“Without recognised identification, citizens are excluded from vital opportunities such as education, healthcare, financial services, and participation in national development,” he said.
Push for Real-Time Identity Verification
Mr Deku also called on all service providers, including banks, telcos and government agencies, to fully integrate with the NIA’s Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP) to ensure real-time authentication of Ghana Card holders.
“Any time someone presents the Ghana Card for a transaction, they must be verified through NIA systems. This is why photocopies of the card are not acceptable,” he said.
He described the Ghana Card as a futuristic, robust and fiduciary document that enables access to digital services, social protection programmes, and national security systems.
Over 600,000 Cards Cleared
Mr Deku announced that the NIA, with support from private partner IMS II, has cleared a backlog of over 600,000 unissued cards.
Additionally, 700,000 new cards have been printed and distributed, with all NIA district offices now fully operational and issuing cards instantly.
He reminded the public that under Legislative Instrument 2111 (2012), the Ghana Card is the mandatory identification document for accessing key national services, including: Passport application; voter registration; SIM card registration; opening bank accounts and access to social services
NIA Wins Public Service Award
The NIA’s work was recently recognised at the Ghana Integrity Awards, where it was named Most Efficient Public Service Delivery Institution.
Call for Support and Compliance
Mr Deku concluded by thanking key partners such as Identity Management Systems (IMS II), the National Petroleum Authority, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the National Signals Bureau, the Ghana Cocoa Board and BOST for supporting this year’s Identity Day celebration.
“We are committed to ensuring every Ghanaian has access to a legal identity. Let’s all work together to protect and uphold the integrity of the Ghana Card system,” he urged.
