Scores of Ghanaians seeking to obtain their Ghana Cards have been left stranded as the ongoing strike by staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA) begins to severely impact services across the country.
Citizens visiting NIA offices have been forced to return home empty-handed, unable to acquire the identification cards they urgently need for essential activities.
The strike, organized by the NIA under the Public Services Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), comes in response to the government’s failure to implement a newly approved scheme of service, which has deteriorated the working conditions of staff.
As a result, NIA offices nationwide, including key locations like the Techiman Municipal Office and the Bono-East Regional Office, remain closed, frustrating many citizens.
In interviews with JoyNews, several individuals expressed their disappointment and shared the challenges caused by the shutdown.
“I lost my Ghana Card, and that’s what I use for all my documentation. I traveled from my community, spent money, and after all this stress, I’m not getting what I came here for,” lamented one affected individual.
Another applicant, who recently lost his card in a fire, explained, “I went to the bank for a transaction, and they demanded my Ghana Card. That’s why I’m here, but the NIA is on strike.”
The strike has left many pleading for the government’s intervention. “We’re asking the government to resolve this quickly because we can’t do anything without the card,” said one concerned citizen.
In the Ashanti region, disappointed applicants echoed the same frustrations. “I came to get my Ghana Card, but they are on strike. They said the offices will remain closed until further notice, so I have to go back home without my card,” shared one frustrated individual.