The National Identification Authority (NIA) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a robust and secure identity management system, while cautioning Ghanaians and foreign nationals against illegal acquisition of the Ghana Card.
At a media briefing in Accra, Williams Ampomah Dallas, Acting Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA, detailed the charges at the authority’s premium service centers. He explained that first-time issuance of a Ghana Card at any premium center costs GHS 310, card replacement GHS 420, record updates GHS 310, updates with replacement GHS 355, and nationality updates GHS 365. He emphasized that these charges apply only to premium centers, while standard registration at district centers remains free for first-time applicants.
Mr. Dallas noted that public education has been intensified to ensure Ghanaians are aware of the approved fees and procedures. He further revealed that the number of uncollected cards has significantly reduced but urged those who have not yet picked up their cards to do so promptly.
“If you visit any district office and are told to return in a month or two for your card, please call our dedicated number. District-level operations should not take more than 48 hours for card issuance,” he stated, adding that every district office is stocked with blank cards to serve applicants.
Addressing institutional compliance, Mr. Dallas clarified that Ghana Cards with prefixes such as *GHA, USA, LBN, or NGN, provided they bear the ECOWAS Identity Card label, are all valid. He advised institutions—particularly banks and telecom companies—to always use the NIA’s biometric verification platform* to prevent fraud, citing cases where loans were granted to individuals who later absconded because their cards were not verified biometrically.
For non-citizens, he encouraged registration for the Non-Citizen (FIMS) Card, which costs $120 for first-time issuance and $60 for annual renewal, to allow lawful transactions in Ghana. He warned that foreign nationals who engage in illegal registration or refuse to comply will face prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation.
On the matter of illegal registrations, Theresa Eson-Benjamin, Acting Legal Head of the NIA, cautioned that Ghanaians who aid non-citizens to fraudulently acquire Ghana Cards face a fine of 250 penalty points, a maximum of two years imprisonment, or both under the National Identity Act. Offenders could also face additional charges, including perjury and document forgery, which carry heavier sentences.
Mr. Dallas concluded by appealing to public institutions indebted to the NIA to settle their obligations to ensure smooth operations. He reassured Ghanaians that the authority’s system is robust, secure, and aligned with data protection and legal standards, and that NIA remains committed to its mandate of delivering a credible national identity system.
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
