Sunday, 9 August 2026

Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 9 August 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

National Identification Authority

Also known as: NIA

National Identification Authority — manages Ghana Card issuance, biometric verification systems, and registration exercises across Ghana and diaspora communities.

2026-04-282026-08-09

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
4 MayJoy Online
The National Identification Authority (NIA), in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has announced the resumption of the Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged between six and fourteen in the Volta Region and Oti Region. …
NIA resumes Ghana Card registration for children in Volta and Oti Regions
April 2026
29 AprJoy Online
The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it is targeting about 3.1 million children nationwide as Ghana Card registration for children aged between 6 and 14 years resumes on Tuesday, May 5, beginning with the Volta and Oti Regions. …
NIA targets 3.1 million children as Ghana Card registration for ages 6–14 resumes May 5
28 AprJoy Online
… sibility, and so if individuals and institutions committed to doing the right things consistently, “we will build a disciplined, transparent, and credible public sector.” Looking ahead, Mr Agyei said, the CAGD was deepening collaboration with the National Identification Authority …
Confront audit infractions with honesty—Accountant-General to public sector accountants

Politics

Ghana Card biometric verification now mandatory for identity checks

The News

The Interior Minister announced that biometric verification of the Ghana Card is now the mandatory standard for identity verification in Ghana, replacing visual inspection and photocopying. The requirement was introduced under Legislative Instrument 2523 and came into force on June 9, 2026, with the aim of protecting personal data, strengthening the national identification system, and reducing identity theft and fraud.

24 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 24 July

Ghana Card biometric verification now mandatory for identity checks
The Interior Minister announced that biometric verification of the Ghana Card is now the mandatory standard for identity verification in Ghana, replacing visual inspection and photocopying. The requirement was introduced under Legislative Instrument 2523 and came into force on June 9, 2026, with the aim of protecting personal data, strengthening the national identification system, and reducing identity theft and fraud.
24 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 23 July

Ghana mandates biometric ID verification over photocopied cards
The government has given banks, telecommunications companies, hospitals, schools, insurance firms and other institutions until November 2, 2026, to stop requesting photocopies of Ghana Cards and adopt biometric authentication through the National Identification Authority's Identity Verification System. The new regulations are intended to reduce identity theft and protect personal data by making biometric verification the standard method for identity confirmation.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →
NIA launches 24-hour Ghana Card services at prestige centres
The National Identification Authority says it is expanding operations to provide 24-hour Ghana Card services, with new prestige centres launching next week and about 120 additional staff employed to operate on a three-shift system, aimed at serving people unable to visit offices during regular working hours.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 22 July

Ghana Card biometric verification now mandatory under new regulations
The Interior Minister announced implementation of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, making biometric verification compulsory for confirming Ghana Card holder identity. Organisations must use the National Identification Authority's biometric verification system or approved match-on-card devices, and are prohibited from retaining photocopies or scanned images; non-compliance could result in financial penalties or suspension of access to the Identity Verification System Platform.
22 July 2026 · Joy Online →
NSA portal fails to process cloth subscription opt-outs
Thousands of National Service Personnel report that clicking "Cancel" on the NSA's online portal failed to process their requests to opt out of National Service Personnel Association cloth subscriptions, leaving them enrolled with continuing deductions. Some personnel say they did not subscribe and claim the cloth is useless.
22 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 17 July

Minority MPs walk out over First Deputy Speaker ruling
The Minority Caucus staged a parliamentary walkout after the First Deputy Speaker disallowed a supplementary question from the Minority Leader about the cost of a planned biometric SIM registration exercise, with the Minority accusing the Chair of using Standing Orders to stifle parliamentary oversight.
17 July 2026 · Daily Guide →
Minority walks out over deputy speaker's ruling on question
The Minority Caucus staged a walkout in Parliament on Wednesday after the First Deputy Speaker disallowed a supplementary question from the Minority Leader about the cost of a planned nationwide biometric SIM registration exercise, citing Standing Orders. The Minority Leader accused the First Deputy Speaker of repeatedly using parliamentary rules to stifle opposition scrutiny and undermine Parliament's oversight responsibility.
17 July 2026 · Daily Guide →

Wednesday 15 July

Biometric verification now mandatory for Ghana Card transactions
The National Identification Authority has announced that photocopying or visual inspection of the Ghana Card for transactions is now illegal, with biometric verification made mandatory under an amended National Identity Register Regulations. Organisations that fail to comply face fines of at least 500 penalty units and up to 2,000 units on summary conviction; individuals face 50 to 500 penalty units.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 14 July

VP calls for public education on law enforcement, rule of law
Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged intensified public education on law enforcement to strengthen public trust and voluntary compliance with the law. She stressed that greater understanding of security agencies' mandates and the purpose of laws is essential for effective governance and national development.
14 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 9 July

NIA, IOM start Ghana Card registration in border communities July 13
The National Identification Authority and the International Organisation for Migration will conduct a special Ghana Card registration exercise for eligible Ghanaians aged six and above in selected communities along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border from July 13 to August 6, 2026, covering districts in the Upper West and Upper East Regions.
9 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 7 July

NIA outlines four-step Ghana Card process for diaspora
The National Identification Authority has launched a four-step process for Ghanaians abroad to obtain the Ghana Card: online application and fee payment (US$115 for those in the UK and outside Africa), virtual interview, biometric capture at the nearest Ghana Mission, and card issuance. A special pop-up registration is scheduled for August 1, 2026, in London.
7 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 29 June

UMB visits President Mahama with Father's Day artwork gift
Universal Merchant Bank marked Father's Day with a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama, during which Managing Director Dr. Philip Oti-Mensah presented the President with commemorative artwork symbolizing fatherhood, leadership, responsibility and service. President Mahama congratulated the bank on its progress and commended management and staff for strengthening the institution and enhancing its contribution to Ghana's financial services sector.
29 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Friday 26 June

UMB marks Father's Day with courtesy call on President Mahama
Universal Merchant Bank visited President John Dramani Mahama on Father's Day and presented him with commemorative artwork symbolizing fatherhood, leadership, responsibility and service. President Mahama commended the bank on its progress and efforts in strengthening Ghana's financial services sector.
26 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 25 June

Man jailed 30 days for impersonating NIA officer, defrauding Ghana Card applicants
Fidelis Samuel Mensah was sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment by the Gbese District Court after being convicted of posing as a National Identification Authority employee and fraudulently obtaining cash, mobile phones, and personal documents from Ghana Card applicants. The NIA has warned the public to deal only with authorised officials at designated service points.
25 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 23 June

Abu Dhabi commits AED 13 billion to AI-native government by 2027
Abu Dhabi has committed approximately AED 13 billion (US$3.5 billion) under its Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027 to become the world's first fully AI-native government by 2027, embedding artificial intelligence into every layer of government operations to improve governance, service delivery, and economic management.
23 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
Ghana's informal sector employs 80% but pays minimal tax
Ghana's informal sector, which employs approximately 80 percent of the national workforce and accounts for an estimated 27 percent to 40 percent of GDP, contributes less than 5 percent of total tax revenue. The Ghana Statistical Service reports that 92.3 percent of all businesses in Ghana are informal, placing a disproportionate tax burden on the formal sector.
23 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
CARE Ghana urges Ghana Card as sole voting ID
CARE Ghana has called for the Ghana Card to replace the voter identification card as the sole ID for voting in all public elections and referenda, citing resource duplication, inefficiencies, and financial costs in maintaining separate systems.
23 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 12 June

NIA begins Ghana Card registration for children aged 6–14 in Northern Region
The National Identification Authority has started Ghana Card registration for children aged 6–14 years in the Northern Region, in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority. Registration teams will visit schools daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and children not in school can register at designated centres.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 11 June

Police close fraud probe into Niharika Handa, son
Ghana Police have concluded an investigation into allegations that businesswoman Niharika Handa and her son Punarvasu Handa obtained Ghanaian travel documents through false declarations, finding no evidence of wrongdoing. Both are Indian nationals who acquired Ghanaian citizenship through naturalisation in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 5 June

NIA launches month-long registration for children in Volta, Oti
The National Identification Authority has begun a one-month mop-up registration exercise for Ghanaian children aged 6–14 years in selected districts across Volta and Oti regions, running from June 4 to July 3, 2026, to allow those who missed the initial phase to obtain national identification records.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 2 June

Volta Region: 200,000 children not yet registered for NIA
The Interior Minister disclosed that over 200,000 eligible children in the Volta Region remain unregistered in the National Identification Authority's mass registration exercise for children aged six to 14 years, after 108,000 were registered in a three-week initial phase against a target of 300,000. The government plans to conduct mop-up and additional registration exercises to ensure coverage of eligible children.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Interior Minister visits Volta Region to assess security, engage stakeholders
The Minister of Interior is on a two-day working visit to the Volta Region to assess security operations and engage with stakeholders and security personnel. The Minister said periodic regional visits help government officials understand ground-level challenges and make informed decisions on policy and resource allocation.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 25 May

FSC steps up reforms to stabilize Ghana's financial system
The Financial Stability Council has intensified reforms aimed at reducing risks and strengthening Ghana's financial sector through increased regulatory cooperation, technical team training, and new monitoring systems for virtual assets. The FSC is also preparing for Ghana's third Mutual Evaluation by GIABA to strengthen financial security measures against money laundering and terrorism financing.
25 May 2026 · The Chronicle →

Sunday 24 May

Modified Taxation System aims to include informal sector operators
Ghana's Modified Taxation System is a simplified tax regime introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority to bring small and medium-sized enterprises and informal sector operators into the formal tax system, addressing barriers such as complex filing processes and limited access to tax offices that have historically excluded a significant portion of the economy.
24 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 23 May

Interior Minister hails Ghana Card as critical national asset
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has described the Ghana Card as a critical asset to national development, saying it underpins national security, governance, and economic participation while serving as a gateway to finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and public services.
23 May 2026 · Joy Online →
NIA marks 20 years; Ghana Card enables public services access
The National Identification Authority has celebrated 20 years of operation, with the Interior Minister describing the Ghana Card as a central gateway to accessing finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and other national services. The government outlined priorities including universal enrolment coverage, strengthened data protection, and deepened innovation in identity services.
23 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 22 May

NIA plans mandatory biometric verification for all transactions
The National Identification Authority has announced reforms to deepen Ghana's national identity system, including proposed amendments before Parliament to make biometric verification mandatory for all transactions. The NIA has also resumed nationwide child registration and resolved technical challenges affecting registration of children aged zero to five, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 16.9.
22 May 2026 · Joy Online →
NIA clears 640,000 Ghana Card backlog, expands abroad
The National Identification Authority has resolved a backlog of over 640,000 Ghana Cards through supply of blank cards to district offices, with successful printing and distribution completed by September 2025. The authority is now operating in 11 Ghana Missions abroad and plans further expansion to Spain, the United Arab Emirates, China, South Korea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria.
22 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana Card accepted at 44,000 airports worldwide, NIA says
The National Identification Authority Executive Secretary says the Ghana Card is recognised as a valid travel document within ECOWAS and accepted at more than 44,000 airports globally. The NIA has registered over 19.4 million Ghanaians aged 15 and above and issued over 18.7 million Ghana Cards.
22 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 21 May

Margins Group marks National Identification Authority's 20th anniversary
Margins ID Group has congratulated the National Identification Authority on its 20th anniversary, stating the two bodies have worked together to strengthen identity, trust, and national development in Ghana through their public-private partnership delivering the national identification system.
21 May 2026 · Joy Online →