NIA receives 700,000 blank cards despite owing suppliers

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has taken delivery of 700,000 blank cards from CAL Bank Plc; the National Identification System (NIS) Project Escrow Agent despite the current arrears under the payment programme signed between the Minister of Finance and Cal Bank with the approval of parliament.
This was made possible with the understanding that NIA would intensify its effort to recover outstanding debts owed by third parties necessary to release funds to ensure smooth implementation of the NIS Project.
The delivery of 700,000 blank cards is part of a Public Private Partnership arrangement between Identity management System (IMS) II and the NIA to ensure a steady supply of secure, high-quality cards for the Ghana Card issuance process and marks a vital step in addressing the longstanding registration backlog process.
It is also expected to accelerate the instant issuance process, thereby enhancing national security, facilitating efficient service delivery, and boosting economic development.
This follows weeks of intensive negotiations initiated by the Acting Executive Secretary of NIA, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku.
In a statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Directorate, the NIA confirmed that these blank cards would be used to print a backlog of records—including first issuance, card replacement, and updates of personal information—that have been pending since 2023.

Expediting card issuance and distribution
In line with the government’s objective of ensuring that all Ghanaians aged 15 years and above possess a Ghana Card for identification and verification, the statement said the Acting Executive Secretary has constituted a technical team to expedite the printing process.
According to the release, this team is tasked with overseeing the distribution of the newly printed cards to various district offices across the country and the public would be informed in due course when the issuance process commences.

600,000 Ghana Cards uncollected
The NIA also reminded citizens that 600,000 Ghana Cards, printed since 2018, remain uncollected at regional and district offices, prompting a push for a more efficient distribution system.

18.6m Ghanaians registered
To date, over 18.6 million Ghanaians have been registered, with 18 million cards already printed, highlighting the scale and ambition of Ghana’s digital identification drive.

Institutional integration
Beyond its domestic importance, the Ghana Card has emerged as a crucial tool in international travel and digital governance.

Travel document
More than 2,000 Ghanaians have already used the card as a travel document in 19 countries.
Recognised as an e-passport at 197 borders and in over 44,000 airports globally, the Ghana Card is now a beacon of digital efficiency and global connectivity.

16.5m taxpayers identified
The Ghana Card’s Personal Identification Number also doubles as a Tax Identification Number which has identified more than 16.5 million taxpayers, streamlining government services and revenue collection processes
Furthermore, over 244 institutions have been integrated into the National Identification System’s biometric database.
In addition to serving citizens, the system extends its benefits to resident foreigners in Ghana by providing a secure, biometric, multi-application ICAO- and ECOWAS-compliant dual interface smart Non-Citizen Ghana Card, with over 202,051 foreign nationals already registered.
This expansive integration is a cornerstone of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, demonstrating how innovation, efficiency, and public-private collaboration can lead to significant technological advancements.