Over 100 Ghanaians abroad issued Ghana Cards

Over 100 Ghanaians in Canada, the United States of America, and Denmark have been issued Ghana Cards.
The pilot registration exercise, which took place in Ottawa and Toronto in Canada, and Washington, D.C., and New York in the United States, was successful.

Launch of full-scale registration in Denmark
As a result of the successful pilot, the National Identification Authority (NIA) officially launched the Ghana Card registration for Ghanaians living abroad on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The NIA plans to expand the registration to other key European countries, including Germany (Berlin), Holland (Amsterdam), Italy (Rome), Belgium (Brussels), and France (Paris), as part of the first phase of the international rollout.

Public engagements and Expansion
The NIA also conducted public engagements with Ghanaians in these regions, providing information about the registration process and requirements.
Addressing the launch, Professor Anthony Panin, a member of the NIA Governing Board, highlighted the authority’s mandate to ensure that every Ghanaian, whether at home or abroad, is securely registered with a unique identity—the Ghana Card.
Professor Panin emphasized that the Ghana Card is much more than an identity document; it symbolizes Ghana’s commitment to building a clean, trusted, and inclusive society.
With the Ghana Card, every citizen can engage confidently in economic, political, and social activities, regardless of their location.
He noted that the card is the foundation for building a more connected and prosperous future.

A commitment to global standards
Professor Panin appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders involved in building a system that meets the highest international standards and positions Ghana as a leader in identity management.
He also announced the expansion of services to include the registration of children aged six to fourteen years, refugees, and individuals in places of detention and psychiatric institutions.

Challenges and triumphs
Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive of the NIA, Prof. Ken Agyeman Attafuah, promised that the Authority would continue to build a robust, inclusive, and credible National Identification System (NIS).
He acknowledged the challenges in establishing a single source of truth and a trusted National Identity Database but described the journey as ultimately rewarding.
Prof. Attafuah recalled that the groundwork for this achievement began in June 2022, when the NIA started consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI).
He explained that the initiative was facilitated by three key committees: the Public Education Committee, the Training Committee, and the Technology and Logistics Committee.

Success in numbers
Prof. Attafuah shared that since the first Ghana Card was issued in Ottawa on September 5, 2024, over 100 cards have been issued, with more applications coming in.
He noted that, cumulatively, the NIA has registered and issued Ghana Cards to over 18 million Ghanaians, compared to just 900,000 cards issued between July 2008 and August 2017.
Prof. Attafuah emphasized that the Ghana Card is vital for securing the identity of every Ghanaian, regardless of their location.
He expressed gratitude to the NIA’s partner institutions, particularly Identity Management Systems II (IMS) and MFARI, for their collaboration, which has been essential to the success of the initiative.

Encouragement to Ghanaians abroad
Prof. Attafuah encouraged all Ghanaians living abroad to take full advantage of the registration exercise, emphasizing that the Ghana Card is their key to staying connected to the services and privileges of their homeland.

IMS: A journey of Patriotism and Success
Mr. James Cantamantu-Koomsom, Executive Director of IMS, reflected on the journey that began in 1995 when IMS was the only Ghanaian company to submit a bid for the establishment of a National ID System.
By 2012, IMS, through Margins ID Group, presented a proposal to the government based on a Public-Private Partnership model with the NIA.
This led to the successful design, building, and operation of the National ID System.

First African company to complete such a project
Mr. Cantamantu-Koomsom highlighted that this project marks the first time a project of such complexity has been completed end-to-end by an African company.
IMS has registered 90% of the adult population and initiated the registration of children of all ages.
The company has handled over 200 million biometric and data set requests, integrating over 244 institutions across the country.

The Ghana Card: A tool for the digital age
As Ghana prepares to meet the demands of the 5th Industrial Revolution, the Ghana Card stands as a powerful tool for Ghanaians living abroad.
It grants remote access to both government and private services, including secure cross-border financial transactions.
Mr. Cantamantu-Koomsom emphasized the continued commitment to upgrading technology and ensuring that the system remains secure and impenetrable.

Transformation on the global digital stage
According to Mr. Cantamantu-Koomsom, Ghana has already begun its transformation, with the National ID System being recognized as one of the foremost in the world.
He expressed pride in IMS’s role in this journey.

A cornerstone of national progress
Mrs. Sylvia Naa Adaawa Annoh, Ghana’s Ambassador to Denmark and Sweden, expressed her excitement about the global Ghanaian community’s involvement in the initiative.
She described the Ghana Card as a cornerstone of national progress, emphasizing that it reinforces identity and strengthens ties with Ghana, no matter how far citizens may be from home.

Simplified registration process
To make the registration process more accessible, the NIA has introduced an online registration system.
Applicants can fill out forms, pay the necessary fees, and book appointments online before visiting the nearest Ghanaian mission for biometric capture.

Eligibility and requirements
The registration is open to all Ghanaians aged six and above. Applicants need valid Ghanaian passports and birth certificates.
For those without these documents, a vouching system is available, which involves having two non-relatives or a relative with a Ghana Card vouch for them.

How to register- www.register.nia.gov.gh
To register, Ghanaians abroad can visit www.register.nia.gov.gh to complete the application process, upload required documents, and book a virtual interview for application review.
After the review, applicants must visit the Ghanaian Mission for biometric capture.

Vouching process
For those without passports or birth certificates, a vouching process is available.
It involves a virtual interview with the Commissioner for Oaths and a voucher to verify the applicant’s identity.
This process ensures that all Ghanaians, regardless of their documentation, can access the Ghana Card.
The initiative marks a significant step in fulfilling the NIA’s mandate to register all Ghanaians, both home and abroad, making it easier for citizens to acquire the Ghana Card, no matter where they live.