NIA Targets 3.1 Million Children as Ghana Card Registration Resumes May 5

The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it is targeting about 3.1 million children nationwide as Ghana Card registration for those aged 6 to 14 resumes on Tuesday, May 5, starting with the Volta and Oti Regions.

Speaking on the exercise, the NIA’s Executive Secretary, Wisdom Kwaku Deku, said the initiative is part of efforts to expand access to the national identity system and ensure early inclusion of children for future public services.

“The Authority is targeting the registration of about 3.1 million children nationwide,” he said, noting that the exercise is aimed at strengthening Ghana’s identity database and promoting inclusivity.

According to the NIA, the first phase will be rolled out in the Volta and Oti Regions before being extended to other parts of the country in stages. Each phase is expected to last at least 21 days, with extensions granted where necessary to ensure broader coverage.

The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), a move expected to enhance data coordination between the two institutions.

To register a child, parents or guardians must present the child’s original birth certificate, a valid Ghanaian passport, or a Certificate of Acquired Citizenship. Where these documents are unavailable, a parent, relative or legal guardian may complete an Oath of Identity form.

For children without known relatives, the NIA said two Social Welfare Officers may vouch for the child under oath.

Parents or guardians who have enrolled their children onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are also required to present the child’s NHIS card or number during registration.

The Authority added that individuals presenting children for registration must be Ghanaian citizens, at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and in possession of a valid Ghana Card.

The NIA also issued guidance to children who participated in the 2024 pilot registration exercise but are yet to receive their cards. It advised such applicants to visit the district office where they initially registered to collect their cards, warning that any attempt to re-register will be blocked by the system.

The Ghana Card remains the country’s primary national identity document and is increasingly required for services such as banking, SIM registration, passport applications, and health insurance verification.

The Authority urged parents, guardians and Social Welfare Officers in the Volta and Oti Regions to take advantage of the exercise, while cautioning that providing false information or assisting a non-Ghanaian to register could result in prosecution, fines or imprisonment.

The NIA reaffirmed its commitment to building “a secure, inclusive and reliable national identity system for all Ghanaians.”