The National Identification Authority (NIA) has launched an investigation into over 100,000 Ghanaians suspected of attempting multiple registrations for the Ghana Card, raising significant concerns about the integrity of the national identity system, which is pivotal for the country’s economic development.
Appearing before the Assurances Committee of Parliament, NIA Executive Secretary Prof. Kenneth Attafuah revealed that approximately 18.2 million Ghanaians have been successfully enrolled in the national registry. However, nearly 560,000 Ghana Cards remain unissued, a backlog that could have implications for sectors heavily reliant on identity verification, such as banking, telecommunications, and insurance.
“To date, 18,145,839 Ghanaians have been registered, with 17.882 million cards printed and 17,323,416 issued,” Prof. Attafuah reported. He also noted that 110,936 individuals are under investigation for attempting multiple registrations, with their cards placed on hold pending the outcome. This situation underscores the critical need for maintaining the integrity of the identity system, which is increasingly becoming a cornerstone for financial transactions and business operations across the country.
In a significant move to broaden the economic impact of the Ghana Card, the NIA is extending its registration services to the global Ghanaian diaspora. The authority, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, is set to pilot an overseas registration program in Ottawa, Canada. This initiative is designed to integrate the global Ghanaian community into the country’s economic framework, facilitating smoother transactions and potentially boosting remittances and investments from abroad.
“We strategically chose Canada to test the robustness of our technical systems, particularly for handling online registrations,” Prof. Attafuah explained. The process will be entirely digital, with applicants registering and making payments online before completing in-person verification.
This global expansion of the Ghana Card is poised to enhance the economic engagement of the Ghanaian diaspora, creating new opportunities for international business relations and investment. The NIA’s efforts to streamline and secure the identity registration process are crucial as Ghana continues to align itself with global digital and financial standards.
