Author: Shepherd Yaw Morttey

If you live in Ghana right now, one of the most important forms of Identification you need to have is the Ghana Card. The Ghanaian people, have come to the realisation that the Ghana Card is now the single most powerful ID in the country for getting things done, especially things in relation to the Government.

The Ghana Card is so important that Public Sector workers need it to be able to receive their salary. There are a lot of other services that you can not get done if you don’t have the Ghana Card issued by the NIA.

With the mass registration over, it has now become important to get the card if you didn’t get it earlier. Apart from knowing the different locations where you can apply for the Ghana Card, you would need to know how much the different services relating to acquisition of the card costs.

In this article, we would look at how much it will cost to get a new Ghana Card or to replace your missing Ghana Card.

Charges for Ghana Card Services

Speaking during an interview on Accra100.5FM’s morning show, the Head of Corporate Affairs of the National Identification Authority (NIA) gave a breakdown of the charges/cost relating to different Ghana Card services as provided by the NIA.

Here is a table of the cost of different services pertaining to obtaining/replacing a Ghana Card:

Ghana Card is a national identity card issued by the Ghana National identification authority(NIA) to citizens of the country, both residents and non-residents, including foreigners who are legal and permanent residents.

The Ghana Card is used in traveling. It validates your identity at borders, airports, and police checkpoints when traveling.

It’s currently not in use as the government has directed that it will be effective from 2022 (the official date has not been disclosed yet).

In September 2019, the chief executive of the National identification authority, Ken Attafuah, stated that from October 2019 Bank of Ghana (BoG) would direct all commercial banks in the country to accept the Ghana card as a means of identification.

The card is to become Ghana’s main identification card. The card can also be a visa to all countries under the “ECOWAS” and other non-African countries like Jamaica. If you have not registered for the ghana card yet, you should know that you can register online through the NIA portal.

Registering for the card is at no cost to Ghanaians, but foreigners living in the country wishing to have a ghana card will pay a fee.

Frequent questions being asked nationwide can apply for a ghana card again when the old one gets missing. Some might not even care about registering for the card at all, but there will be consequences for anyone who doesn’t register for the card and have their identity in the country’s system.

Suppose your personal information is not in the National Identification Register. In that case, you may be excluded from the formal economy of Ghana and lose out on several social, economic, and political benefits.

In the case of a missing card, you’re required to pay a fee of GHS 20 to have your card replaced. 

How to replace a missing Ghana Card

Not many people know that there’s a chance to replace their missing ghana cards, so most people who have lost theirs have given up trying to replace them if they never find the missing one. Some lose it through theft of the purses and wallets or by being careless or forgetfulness. So in this article, I’m going to discuss the necessary steps to be taken when you misplace your Ghana card and how to apply for one again.

Here are the steps to replace a missing Ghana Card:

1. First, you need to file a police report
2. Submit the police documents to the NIA
3. Claim an NIA form
4. Go through the commission of oath
5. Submit your stamped forms back to the NIA office

Now, let’s explain each step in details

First, you need to file a police report

Filing a police report in the case of a missing Ghana card doesn’t necessarily mean it was stolen.

You’re filing the report, so the police give you a document to take to the National Identification Authority(NIA).

Submit the police documents to the NIA

The NIA office is located at Shiashi around Legon in Accra. You can find the full list of NIA Offices in all districts here.

You head there and submit the document to claim that you misplaced the former card and want to apply for a new one.

Claim an NIA form

You’ll be given a form to fill after putting forth your claims of a missing card. You’d have to pay for the card for GHS 30 (this is the only fee you pay for the replacement of your Ghana Card).

Your police report will be inspected to check for the authenticity of your claim.

Go through the commission of oath

Once you’ve filled the forms, you’ll be asked to go to the commission of oath office to get your forms stamped.

The commission of oath office is located just beside the NIA office.

Submit your stamped forms back to the NIA office

After your forms have been stamped, you the commission of oath you’ll need to return the forms to the NIA office.

You’ll be asked to return in a week or two times when your documents have been processed, and your card is ready.

Conclusion

It’s very important to have a Ghana card at all times. So meaning in the case of your card getting missing, it shouldn’t take you more than a month to get it back because it’s a very important card that validates your citizenship as a Ghanaian.

Your inability to establish your identity in the future could make life difficult for you in Ghana since the government is planning to make the Ghana Card our main identity card formally. 

The National Identification Authority (NIA) will start issuing instant smart National ID cards under a very strict multi-level verification process.

The ID card, dubbed Ghana Card, is meant to be the primary ID card that citizens will use to access all services in the country, including even travelling within the West African sub-region.

It will be the only valid ID for application for a bank account, passport, telephone number, property acquisition, drivers license and much more.

The registration exercise will begin in the Greater Accra region and move to other regions in the country. The presence of Ghana card will eliminate the usefulness of all other cards possessed as Ghanaians.

What is Ghana Card?

The Ghana Card is a national identity card that is issued by the Ghanaian authorities to Ghanaian citizens – both resident and non-resident, and legally and permanently resident foreign nationals. It is proof of identity, citizenship, and residence of the holder. The current version is in ID1 format and biometric.

What you need to Register for the Ghana Card

The pre-requisite for the Ghana Card is the Biometric Birth Certificate/Valid Ghanaian Passport

How to Register for the Ghana Card

With your Biometric Birth Certificate or Valid Ghanaian Passport, visit any of the registration centres when they are in your district and you will be walked through the process.

Types of the Ghana Card

There are two types of the Ghana Card. They are the Barcode Card and the Dual interface Chip Card. These two cards will be issued differently and the one an individual gets depends on his/her age. The Barcode Card is for Ghanaians between the ages of 0+ to 14, while the Dual Interface Chip Card will be issued to those 15 years and above.

Features and Details on the Ghana Card (Dual Interface Chip Card)

Front View

1. “REPUBLIC OF GHANA”
2. “National Identity Card”
3. Surname
4. First name
5. Middle Name(s)
6. Sex
7. Date of Birth
8. Height
9. Randomly generated Personal ID Number (PIN)
10. Date of Expiry (normally 10 years after the date of issue)

Back View

1. THIS CARD IS THE PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA. IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST NIA OFFICE OR POLICE STATION
2. Holder’s signature
3. Serial Number
4. Flying eagle to the right of the card.
5. Holder’s biometric and personal information stored in a 2-D barcode which can only be read with a card reader.

NB: The Ghana Card contains second and third level security features by the NIA (National Identification Authority): On the photo a micro-holographic reflecting stamp is placed. The back contains the machine-readable zone.

The microchip, inside the card, contains biometric data such as fingerprints of the holder, the image, signature, etc. The data can be extracted from the chip with wireless RFID technology. The ID card serves as a travel document for national travel. The validity of the card is 10 years and is compulsory for citizens over 16.

Visible Images on the Card

1. Ghana Flag to the left top corner
2. Ghana’s Coat of Arms to the right top corner
3. Ghost portrait of cardholder
4. Main portrait of image of cardholder
5. Map of Ghana

Issuing Procedure

The identity card is requested at the districts (and is issued for free to all Ghanaians ) where a digital picture of the bearer’s face and fingerprints are taken. The card should be picked up in person after 15 days, where the bearer identifies himself/herself with his/her fingerprints.

Benefits, Importance, and Usefulness of the Ghana Card

1. Health Delivery: The personal identification number (PIN) and biometrics/personal information is cross-checked with the existing data in the National Identification System during a Ghana Card holder’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration.
2. Passport Acquisition: Any time a Ghana Card holder applies for a passport, their personal identification number (PIN) is captured on the passport and their personal information cross-checked with the data in the National Identification System. A “Ghana Card” holder may not be able to acquire a passport if they do not possess the Ghana Card. This is because only people who qualify to hold Ghanaian passports will be issued with one since the individual’s nationality can be properly checked from the National Identification System.
3. Acquisition of Driver’s License: The personal identification number (PIN) is one of the required information the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) demands as soon as the Ghana Card is issued to applicants. The PIN is captured on a Ghana Card holder’s driver’s license and vehicle registration documents. The personal information is also verified from the NIA to determine a person’s true identity for license acquisition and establish the true identities of vehicle owners. A time will come when a person may not be able to make new registration or renewal at the DVLA without their Ghana Card.
4. Shipping and Clearing of Goods from the Port: All goods a Ghana Card holder exports out of Ghana or imports into Ghana is directly linked to their personal identification number (PIN) to eliminate fraud and theft in the shipping and clearing of goods at the ports and harbours of Ghana.
5. Receipt of Banking Services: A Ghana Cardholder can use the card as identity verification document when opening bank account, withdrawing money from the bank or receiving money transfers in Ghana. It is easier for a Ghana Card holder to take a loan from the bank whether they work in an identifiable institution or not. This is because their identity can be easily verified and the banks are confident that they can be traced in the event of loan default based on their PIN or biometric information stored on the Ghana Card.
6.  Credit Information: The use of the Ghana Card can enable the banks in Ghana to easily establish person credit-worthiness from the Credit Referencing Agencies any time they apply for a loan. This may lead drastically to the reduction in bank rates on loans since the banks can establish whether they are already servicing a loan from another bank which will result in a reduction in the incidents of bad debts.
7. Registration of Business: Business registration is linked to a Ghana Card holder’s PIN to help identify them as the true owner of their business. The Registrar General’s Department makes it a requirement for all business owners to provide their PIN on the Ghana Card during business registration. This eliminates business registration fraud through the exposure of false identities and prevents multiple registrations of businesses for fraudulent purposes.
8. Education: The PIN of a Ghana Card holder’s child is captured during enrollment into primary school and the number is used for admission into every school level until the child completes tertiary education. This helps in tracking the progress of a Ghana Card holder’s child in the educational sector for necessary policy interventions. It prevents a person’s Ghana Card from by a replaced, and unqualified ones by some school authorities during admission. Students who qualify for student’s loan are able to use the Ghana Card to establish their identities to eliminate fraud. Data from the NIA database enables the Ministry of Education to plan effectively for the provision of targeted educational infrastructure and other resources for their community.
9. Job Search: The Ghana Card is used to establish a personal identity during a job search. This bolsters their chances of getting the job as employers will be sure they are dealing with the rightful owner of the certificates a person provides in support of their qualifications.
10. Disaster Management: Identification of true victims of disasters is often problematic because there are infiltrators who take advantage of the absence of credible identification system to benefit at the expense of the affected ones. Data on a person’s Ghana Card is used to establish whether they live in an area affected by a disaster to enable them to receive relief items.
11. Access to Social Services: The Ghana Card authenticates a persons entitlement to government services. Services such as LEAP payments and free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration for persons below 18 years or above 70 years is made dependent on the presentation of the Ghana Card.
12. Protecting the Rights of Children: Child trafficking, especially for forced labour, is on the increase in Ghana and children get lost daily. It has been very difficult to establish the identities of children rescued from human traffickers or those found in the streets to reunite them with their parents. Since a Ghana Card holder’s child’s fingerprints and parents’ information are stored in the national database, it is easier to return a Ghana Card holder’s lost child to them when their live fingerprints are taken and matched into the NIS.
13.  Electoral Registration: During voter registration, a Ghana Card holder’s PIN is captured for the authentication of their citizenship, name, age and residence to determine whether they qualify to vote or not.
14. Travelling: The Ghana Card is used to validate a person identity at airports, borders, police check posts and while booking tickets. The emerging Ghana railway travel may require a person to carry their Ghana Card especially if e-tickets are introduced.
15.  E-Commerce & Payment Industry: The Ghana Card is used in a multiplicity of situations – to register for offline services such as a loan or an insurance plan while buying a car. There have been past issues raised about Know Your Customer norms for Cash Cards like E-zwich and ATM Cards. The Ghana Card is likely to be made mandatory for the validation of all payments. Ghanaian companies currently offering m-commerce transactions such as Tigo Cash and the Airtel Zap service used for sending and receiving money, topping up airtime, transferring credit to others, paying utility bills as well as goods and services using the mobile phone opt for the Ghana Card as a verification document.
16.  Pension Claims: As identity theft occurs when someone uses a person’s personal information, such as Social Security number without their permission to commit fraud by claiming their benefits or that of a relation. The Ghana Card identifies a Ghana Card holder as the rightful and only person authorized to receive their pension benefits. In the event of the Ghana Card holder’s death, only their children or spouse named on their Ghana Card will benefit from their pension claim.
17. SIM Card Registration: With previous generations of ID Cards one of the key issues with the directive by the National Communications Authority for registration of all SIM cards for getting a mobile connection has been the verification of the individual getting the connection. Particularly in urban areas, and with a migrant population in Ghana, authentication of individuals has been an issue; as a few people did not possess any ID at all. So the Ghana Card has become the acceptable verification document for mobile connection.
18. Hire Purchase: The Ghana Card is used in establishing a person identity when making hire purchase arrangements as it contains their digital picture and biometric information that conclusively establishes their identity in addition to their personal and residential information.
19. Insurance Claims: As a person needs to prove their identity in the event of any disaster for which they have to make insurance claims. The Ghana Card provides them with the necessary information they need to conclusively establish their identity.
20. Remittances from Abroad: Identity theft happens in many ways: a thief obtains credit card receipts or bank statements from your wallet or trash; personal information is inadvertently provided over the phone or Internet, or other confidential information. Before a person even realizes their personal information has been compromised, their credit and goods are claimed by fraudulent persons. The use of the Ghana Card and PIN in claiming goods and monies sent from abroad has been designed to prevent unauthorized persons from claiming what is due to the Ghana Card holder.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is merging the social security numbers of members with their NIA (Ghana Card) numbers.

The new NIA Numbers (Ghana Card Numbers) will replace the unique scheme identification numbers that SSNIT is currently using.

The merger is in compliance with Regulation 7 (1) of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012, LI 2111, and a directive from the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).

Also, starting next month, new subscribers to the national pension scheme (SSNIT) would be required to have Ghana cards before they would be taken on board.

There are three ways you can do the merger. These are:

1. By walking into any SSNIT office near you
2. By using the shortcode – *711*9#
3. by using the SSNIT website

Why you should merge/link your SSNIT and NIA (Ghana Card) Numbers

1. You only have to carry your Ghana Card for all transactions
2. Easy identification of nominated dependants
3. You save money because you don’t need to pay for a SSNIT card
4. It’s a legal requirement

What you need to merge your SSNIT and Ghana Card Numbers

To link your SSNIT and Ghana Card Number, you need to have the following:

• Your NIA number
• SSNIT number
• Mobile phone number
• Active email address

How to find your NIA/Ghana Card Number

To find your NIA or Ghana Card number, all you need is your Ghana Card. Once you have the Ghana Card, look at the section that says “Personal ID Number”. You will find an alphanumeric code in the format “GNXXXXXXXXXX”.

The alphanumeric code is your NIA Number or your Ghana Card number. It is this code that you will use to merge your SSNIT and NIA Numbers.

How to merge your SSNIT and Ghana Card on your Phone

1. Dial *711*9# on your mobile phone
2. Select option 1
3. Enter your SSNIT Number
4. Enter your email address (if the phone number you are using is different from your phone number registered in our database)
5. Enter the Personal ID Number on your Ghana Card
6. Select option 1 to complete the merging of your SSNIT and the NIA numbers (Personal ID Number on your Ghana Card)
7. Wait for the confirmation message

How to merge your SSNIT and NIA (Ghana Card) Number online

Follow these steps to merge your SSNIT and NIA Number very fast:

1. Visit the official SSNIT Members Website – https://www.ssnit.org.gh/member/
2. Log in with your current SSNIT number and Password
3. Request for a new Password here if you don’t have one and use it to login
4. At the top bar, click on the “Merge My NIA” button
5. Read the terms and conditions and check the box to continue
6. Enter your NIA Number to continue
7. Confirm your email and phone number
8. Click submit to successfully link your SSNIT Number and NIA Number.

The Ghana card registration was held in 2019 across the country and resumed in 2020 August. Despite the exercise being held twice in the country, many people still have not undergone their registration for the card.

Due to the importance of this card, one can’t decide to register for it. It is a national identity card issued by the Ghana National identification authority(NIA) to citizens of the country, both residents and non-residents. The card can also be issued to foreigners who are legal and permanent residents.

People of the age 15 and above are eligible to register for the Ghana card. Refusal to register for the Ghana card will get your name removed from the country’s economy and lose several social, economic, and political benefits.

As of now, you can register for the ghana card online or go to the NIA office at Shiashi to get registered. First, you need to know the requirements for the Ghana card. The requirements are most necessary. During the mass registration, some of the requirements were really a problem for some people.

If you happen to be a Ghanaian by birth, registration, or naturalisation and you reside in Ghana currently, you require a Ghana card. The card is also necessary for Ghanaians living abroad and foreign nationals who are legal or permanent residents in Ghana. 

Necessary documents required to get a Ghana Card

• Name, date, and place of birth, residential address, and digital address code.
• Parent, partner, and next of kin information. Prepare to have addresses, names and nationality, hometown, and other personal data.
• Parental information, including their Names, Address dates, and places of birth.
• Biometrics, including your fingerprints, iris, and photograph). The NIA will take data at the registration centre.
• Primary verification documents. These include your birth certificate, valid password, certificate of acquired citizenship, or naturalisation certificate.

Once you have all these details ready, you’re eligible to register for a Ghana card. And you were not able to register for the Ghana card during the mass registration, so you want to register for it before it’s getting too late for you. You can go to the NIA office at Shiashi to register or simply open the NIA online portal to register online. 

How to register for the Ghana card online 

Not very long ago, the National Identification Authority(NIA) launched an online Ghana card registration procedure. This was done to reduce the workload on the NIA agents working on getting everyone registered. Also, due to the covid 19. So now, from the comfort of your homes, you can simply log in to the NIA portal and follow the procedures to get registered. 

Procedures To Register For The Ghana Card

1. Go to the official website of the NIA and open the online registration portal at https://register.nia.gov.gh/register.
2. Click on the “start new application” to be taken to the page where you’ll register. 
3. On this page, an automatic registration ID will be generated for you. Write it down to be used later. 
4. Enter a password of your choice in the “password box and re-enter it again. 
5. Click on the “start registration button” to begin the process. 
6. Now, you’ll be given a form to fill. First, write your names and then click on “yes, this is the name I want to use.” 
7. This is the aspect where questions about your nationality will be asked. Do you have an existing National ID? are you a dual citizen? You’re required to choose yes/no in this step.
8. Proof of nationality. You’re required to provide either your birth certificate or national passport.
9. In this next step, you’ll be asked to select your means of identification to choose between an NHIS card, driver’s license, passport, SSNIT card, tax identification number, or national voters ID. 
10. Click on the “save and continue” button. 
11. You’ll receive a message prompt asking if you want to continue; click yes. 
12. You’ll be directed to the next section of the application.
13. You’ll fill in details of your gender, height, marital status, hair color, and education. Save and continue once you’re done filling in the correct information. 
14. Fill inaccurate details of your date of birth, hometown, occupation, and place of birth. 
15. You’ll be directed to the declaration page now.
16. click yes to accept the declaration 
17. You’ll receive an email confirming your application for the Ghana card. An option to download the document will be in your email. 
18. Visit any NIA office with your printed Ghana card application forms to be finalized and your card to be handed to you. 

Suppose you go to the National Identification Authority (here is a list of the NIA offices in Ghana, use the one nearest to you) for the registration of the Ghana card. In that case, you’ll be asked to download and fill out the Registration Application Form (Household) and submit it to the NIA Head Office or via [email protected].

The Form can be found on the NIA website (www.nia.gov.gh).

Compulsory requirements: The applicant’s Birth Certificate or valid Passport. Your registration will be finalized at the NIA office. Your card will be processed and given to you after a few minutes. This process is free. 

Conclusion

The Ghana Card is a crucial National identification. 

In fact, it will be our primary identification in the country from next year, so if you must register for yours as early as possible while it’s still free. Other than that, in a few years, you’ll find yourself paying a lot of money for the card. 

The National Identification Authority has opened up offices for all those who don’t have the Ghana Card yet and wish to apply.

Ghanaians who wish to register for the Ghana card may do so at selected offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Registrar General Department (RGD) where NIA provides registration services.

The GRA offices are also being used since the Ghana Card is now merged with TIN.

Ghanaians who registered for the card within the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) where the above GRA and RGD offices are located may visit the offices for their cards.

Ghanaians whose cards are damaged or missing may have them replaced when NIA’s Regional and District offices are reopened for business.

NIA will duly notify the public when the offices are reopened. Persons whose cards are missing are required to report the loss to the nearest Police Station and obtain police extract to that effect which they must present to the NIA for their cards to be replaced. Replacement of a card attracts a statutory fee of GHS 30.

Also, starting from Monday, 9th August 2021, applicants who registered for the Ghana card within the Ayawaso West Wuogon during the mass registration exercise but have not yet received their cards may visit the NIA
Headquarters in Accra for their cards. The cards will be issued from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

In this article, we will give you the locations of all the offices of the NIA where you can go to apply for the Ghana Card. The list is arranged by region.

Here is the list of NIA offices where you can apply or register for a Ghana Card.

Ashanti Region

Bono Region

Central Region

Eastern Region

Greater Accra Region

Northern Region

Upper East Region

Upper West Region

Volta Region

Western Region

Frequently Asked Questions about Ghana Card

The GhanaPostGPS App is here to stay after it is now being used in almost all official applications by the Government of Ghana. This includes the Ghana Card, Land Registration, Passport Application and even new business registration.

A lot of people still don’t know how to generate/create their digital addresses and we are here to explain and make the process easy.

What is GhanaPostGPS?

GhanaPostGPS is a global addressing system that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to divide Ghana into grids of 5 metres x 5 metres squares and assigns each one a unique address.

It has an application that now allows all Ghanaians and people living in Ghana to validate their home and business addresses in order to create a national address registry for easy direction and identification purposes.

How to generate your digital address with GhanaPostGPS App in Ghana

Here are the steps to take to generate/get your digital address in Ghana:

1. Download the new updated GhanaPostGPS App for Android or iOS.
2. Launch the GhanaPostGPS App on your device and accept the terms and conditions, then click on “continue”.
3. On the next screen, you can register your phone number, or click on “Skip Registration” if you want to use it for just one time.
4. Accept the permissions that appear on the screen (Location, Media. Record Video)
5. on the next screen, wait for your location information to load
6. Once the location information has loaded, you will be presented with a new screen where you will see your Digital Address in the format GX-XXX-XXXX
7. You can then share on WhatsApp or write it down to use for your Ghana Card Registration or other purposes.

Watch the video below for the whole process:

Things to note when generating your digital address

Once you have the App downloaded on your phone, generating your address is easy.

• Ensure your phone’s location button is turned on.
• Open the GhanaPostGPS app and click on the button
• Your unique address will appear next to the Digital address, for example, Digital Address: GA-543-0125
• Remain outdoors to have a very correct digital address
• Make sure you wait for 5 to 20 seconds to make sure the address is valid
• Enable all permissions on your phone necessary for the app to run before generating an address