Individuals and businesses planning to do business with the National Identification Authority (NIA) starting Monday, February 2nd, 2026, should brace themselves for higher fees and charges as the Authority has announced an upward review of fees and charges for Ghana Card–related services.
This upward review, though approved by parliament, is coming at a time when inflation continues to cool, and the cedi remains largely stable. The NIA, however, justifies that the move is necessary to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the national identification system.
In a press release on Monday, the NIA said the revised fees take effect from Monday, February 2, 2026, and they are in accordance with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512). The adjustment applies to services provided under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022.
Ordinarily, inflation trends and exchange rate movements are critical factors in reviewing charges for public services, as they shape operating costs and affordability for citizens. Currently, both indicators have shown relative stability, easing pressure across the broader economy.
However, the NIA, recognizing this, explains that short-term macroeconomic swings do not drive the fee review, but rather years of accumulated costs absorbed by the Authority without adjustment.
According to the release, fees for NIA services were last reviewed in 2022 and approved in 2023, based on cost assumptions at the time. Since then, the Authority has operated for over two years under the same fee structure, despite a steady rise in operational expenses.
These include technology licensing, cybersecurity services, utilities, logistics, and personnel costs, many of which remain high and largely unavoidable.
The Ghana Card, it further said, has evolved beyond a routine identification document into critical national infrastructure, underpinning access to public services, financial systems, and national security functions.
Maintaining this infrastructure, the Authority said, requires periodic and modest fee realignment to ensure systems remain secure, reliable, and functional over the long term.
The Authority stressed that the timing of the review reflects a need to correct prolonged cost absorption rather than exploit current economic conditions. By acting now, the NIA believes it can stabilise its finances, reduce operational strain, and continue delivering services efficiently without compromising the integrity of the national identification system.
Ultimately, the fee adjustments are expected to strengthen the NIA’s financial sustainability, ensuring that the Ghana Card system remains resilient, secure, and fit for purpose, even as economic conditions evolve.
