The National Identification Authority (NIA) has clarified that revised fees for Ghana Card registration and related services were approved by Parliament and were not introduced unilaterally by the Authority.
The NIA said the fees were approved under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512), pursuant to the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080).
A statement signed by Mr Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NIA, said the revised fee regime took effect on February 2, 2026, after the requisite statutory and parliamentary approval process.
The clarification follows reports and public commentary suggesting that the Authority had recently introduced or increased fees for Ghana Card registration and related services.
The NIA described the reports as misleading, saying they did not accurately reflect the applicable fee regime or the legal basis for the charges.
It assured the public that its 276 regular district offices remained operational nationwide and continued to provide Ghana Card registration and related services.
At the district offices, first-time registration remains free for persons below 25 years, while those aged 25 years and above are required to pay a GH¢30 processing fee.
The Authority said other approved charges included GH¢200 for card replacement, while record updates remained free.
It added that the approved fee schedule covered other services, including card renewal, nationality updates and related transactions.
The NIA urged the public to distinguish between approved fees applicable to services at regular district offices and charges associated with its Premium and Prestige service offerings.
The Authority also clarified that the introduction of its 24-hour Prestige Centre did not replace or result in the closure of regular registration centres.
It said the first Prestige Centre, located at Labone in Accra, commenced operations on August 1, 2026, and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends.
The centre is an optional, fee-based service intended to provide greater convenience, flexibility and faster access to NIA services.
“The introduction of the Prestige Centre therefore does not make the use of a Prestige Centre compulsory,” the NIA said.
It explained that members of the public could continue to access applicable Ghana Card services at regular district offices, while Premium and Prestige options were available to persons who specifically wanted additional convenience and a different service experience.
The NIA said it recognised the public’s legitimate interest in understanding fees charged for public services and welcomed constructive questions and scrutiny.
It, however, urged media organisations, commentators and the public to verify claims concerning NIA fees and services with the Authority or other authoritative sources before publishing or broadcasting them.
