Data from the Volta Regional Directorate of the National Identification Authority (NIA) indicates that a staggering 61,771 individuals are yet to collect their Ghana Cards, thereby impeding the effective implementation of various government services and identity verification processes.
Regional Director of the Authority, Mr Samuel Mawuli Dayi, shared this information during a press interaction, stating that the figure pertains to the end of May 2023.
Breaking down the numbers, Mr Dayi noted that Ketu South alone accounts for 10,567 unclaimed cards, followed by Akatsi South and Central Tongu with 7,589 and 7,513 unclaimed cards, respectively.
Additionally, he noted that the Regional Directorate in Ho possesses 845 unclaimed Ghana Cards, while the Akatsi North office holds 908, and Hohoe has 1,266 unclaimed cards.
Mr Dayi highlighted possible reasons for the high number of unclaimed cards, suspecting that some migrants may have undergone registration but have since left the jurisdiction, and others may have passed away.
However, he appealed to members of the public who do not fall under any of the aforementioned categories to collect their processed cards, as the Ghana Card is a permanent identification document.
Meanwhile,the National Identification Authority (NIA) has expanded its premium Ghana Card registration services to five additional regions across the country. Residents in Volta, Bono, Bono East, Northern, and Western North regions can now access enhanced registration facilities to obtain their Ghana Cards.
The premium Ghana Card registration service has proven to be highly convenient for individuals seeking swift acquisition of their national identification cards. In line with its commitment to broaden the coverage and accessibility of this service, the NIA has extended its premium registration facilities to the newly added regions.
A statement issued and signed by the Acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Col. Peter Kwame Ghansah (Rtd.), announced the operation of new hubs alongside the existing premium centres at the NIA and CalBank Head Offices in Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, and Western regions.
Mr Dayi further stated that the premium services in Ho have received an average of 50 daily applicants since the exercise began on June 12, 2023.
He further noted that in the Volta Region, the premium registration services in Ho have seen an average of 50 applicants daily since the commencement of the exercise on June 12, 2023. Mr. Dayi expressed satisfaction with the response from residents in Ho, highlighting the steady influx of individuals seeking premium Ghana Card registration services. This positive trend indicates a strong demand for efficient and expedited registration processes.
He further highlighted that registrants who avail themselves of the premium registration services in Ho have the advantage of receiving their Ghana Cards on the same day, provided they arrive at the office early enough. This expedited process ensures that individuals can obtain their identification cards promptly and without any conflicts in the details.
The NIA has implemented measures to ensure that the registration process is efficient and accurate. In cases where there may be doubts or discrepancies in the information provided by applicants, the NIA relies on supporting documents such as affidavits and gazettes to verify and process the cards. This additional step ensures that the information recorded on the Ghana Cards is reliable and reflects the correct details of the individuals.
The premium registration centres will offer the following fee-based registration services: for first-time registration and issuance of a Ghana Card at GH¢280; replacement of lost, missing, or damaged cards attracts GH¢110; while update of personal records that requires printing of a new card costs GH¢110.