The National Identification Authority (NIA) has reassured Ghanaians that its current focus on premium registration services does not mean that mass registration has been scrapped.
According to the Head of Corporate Affairs, Williams Ampomah E. Darlas, the Authority is adopting a phased approach, beginning with the issuance of already printed Ghana Cards before resuming continuous mass registration at district offices nationwide.
He explained that in 2024, the NIA began a mass registration exercise targeting children, setting a target of three million but managing to capture 377,036 in 169 districts and municipalities before technical and financial constraints forced a suspension.
“We had challenges, but the new management has since cleared the backlog. We are now working to ensure that children who were registered in schools receive their cards before the continuous exercise fully resumes,” Mr Darlas told the Daily Graphic.
He further clarified that premium registration was voluntary and not a replacement for the mass programme. Once card issuance for already registered applicants begins on September 22, registration will be extended to all district offices to enhance accessibility.
Premium registration currently attracts a fee of GH¢310, the same for both adults and children. Parents or guardians must provide a child’s birth certificate or passport or vouch for them if they already hold a Ghana Card.
To prevent abuse, the NIA has strengthened its guarantor system, discouraging individuals from vouching for large numbers of applicants in exchange for money.
Mr Darlas also highlighted safeguards for children’s cards, explaining that parents would need to accompany their wards during issuance to ensure proper safekeeping.
Meanwhile, from Monday, September 15, 2025, the NIA will expand its online booking system to cover premium centres in the Northern, Eastern, Volta, and Ashanti regions, a move aimed at improving convenience and streamlining registration.
He assured the public that the NIA remained committed to ensuring that every Ghanaian child has a secure and verifiable identity.
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