NIA clears Ghana Card backlog, issues instant card nationwide

The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it has cleared the massive backlog of unissued Ghana Cards that built up between March 2023 and January 2025, restoring full capacity for instant card issuance across the country.

Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA, Williams Ampomah E. Darlas, told the Daily Graphic on Thursday, September 11, 2025, that the crippling shortage of blank cards that stalled operations for nearly two years had finally been resolved.

“Between March 2023 and January 2025, yes, we had that issue because there was a shortage of blank cards in the system. Now, under the new administration, all those backlogs have been cleared. If you registered and did not get your card, you can now go back to the centre where you registered and collect it,” he explained.

He further noted that with 292 active registration centres nationwide, new applicants no longer need to wait weeks or months to receive their cards. “If you register today, you should be able to get your card today,” he assured.

Updating the figures, Mr Darlas said a total of 18,950,942 Ghanaians had been enrolled in the system. Of that number, 18,848,635 cards had been printed, with 17,747,459 already issued to applicants. “We're basically left with about a million, a little less than a million cards to be distributed to applicants,” he said.

According to him, the Ghana Card has now become the central pillar of identity verification in the country, with 95 institutions already integrated into the NIA’s platform. He confirmed that all major banks, government agencies, and other key organisations were using the card for real-time identity checks, while smaller institutions were being assisted to link up.

“We are also developing a mobile app that will allow smaller institutions such as microfinance companies to access the platform for their operations,” he disclosed.

Mr Darlas also warned against the widespread practice of requesting photocopies of the Ghana Card, stressing that such demands were unlawful and dangerous. “No, it's not allowed. We are even amending our laws to give us the opportunity to punish institutions that request or photocopy the ID cards of citizens,” he noted. “It exposes citizens to identity theft and other crimes.”

He added that once Parliament reconvenes, the NIA will lay fresh legislative amendments to reinforce its mandate and further protect the integrity of the national identification system.