NIA clarifies Ghana Card fees, says Prestige Centre is optional

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has clarified that the revised fees for Ghana Card registration and related services were approved by Parliament and were not unilaterally introduced by the Authority in 2026.

The NIA said the fees were approved under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512), pursuant to the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080).

The revised fees took effect on February 2, 2026, while the Authority’s first 24-hour Prestige Centre at Labone commenced operations on August 1, 2026.

“The revised fees currently applicable to NIA services were approved by Parliament under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512),” the NIA said in a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Affairs Directorate, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, and issued on Wednesday, August 19.

The Authority said its 276 district offices remain operational nationwide and continue to provide Ghana Card registration and related services.

It explained that first-time registration remains free at the district offices for persons below 25 years, while applicants aged 25 years and above are required to pay a GH¢30 processing fee.

Card replacement costs GH¢200, while record updates remain free. Other charges apply to services such as card renewal, nationality updates and related transactions.

The NIA stressed that the fees applicable at regular district offices should not be confused with charges for its Premium and Prestige service options.

It said the Prestige Centre is an optional, fee-based service designed to provide greater convenience, flexibility and faster access to NIA services.

“The introduction of the Prestige Centre therefore does not make the use of a Prestige Centre compulsory,” the NIA stated.

The Labone Prestige Centre operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends, and is intended to complement, rather than replace, the Authority’s regular registration centres.

The NIA urged members of the public to verify claims about its fees and services with the Authority or other authoritative sources before publishing or sharing them.