The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has lauded the National Identification Authority (NIA) for what he described as significant strides in improving efficiency and public confidence in the national identity registration system.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series organized by the Presidency Communications, Hon. Muntaka detailed the progress made by the Authority under the stewardship of its current executive leadership.
According to him, since January 2025, the NIA has successfully cleared a backlog of over 600,000 unissued Ghana Cards across its 292 operational offices nationwide.
This effort, according to the Minister, has not only addressed longstanding complaints but has also restored trust in the institution’s ability to deliver critical identity services.
“One of the things that used to be a major challenge was the backlog in issuing cards to those who had registered but couldn’t get their cards due to unavailability of blank cards, and I can report that within the last six months, we made sure we had a blank card stock of over 600,000 to ensure all this backlog is cleared.”
Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak
The Minister noted that the availability of the Ghana Card is now improving access to essential services such as banking, which many citizens had previously been denied due to lack of identification.
He acknowledged the role of the NIA’s leadership in bringing about these improvements, saying, “I think this is very commendable to our CEO Wisdom Yayra Deku Koku, who is doing so well there.”
Reducing Congestion
In addition to the clearance of the registration backlog, the Minister highlighted other innovations introduced by the Authority to ease access and reduce congestion at service centres.
Chief among these is a new digital appointment system, which enables registrants to receive scheduled appointment notifications via SMS, helping to eliminate the long queues that once characterised NIA offices.
“We’ve introduced a system where we prompt you, we send you a message, and we give you the time to be there. So you come just at the time that you are expected. You no longer have to join the long queues that you used to see at the National Identification Authority centres.”
Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak
The Authority is also piloting an online application and appointment system to expand digital accessibility. This pilot system, according to the Minister, will be part of a larger push to digitise services and improve user experience for Ghanaians seeking to register for or update their Ghana Cards.
Hon. Muntaka further revealed that the NIA, in collaboration with Ghana Commercial Bank and four private companies, has launched exclusive premium service centres in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.
These centres provide flexible service delivery options, including home and office enrollment as well as extended operating hours, for a fee.
“Now one of the things that we are trying to do is to have premium centres across the country where we are partnering private individuals who open and then that service can be available 24 hours.
“So you don’t need to leave your workplace to go trying to change your card or replace a card, or reprint a lost card, or even register and get your card. You could even call for them to come to your house to do those things well. But, obviously, you have to pay a premium for that.”
Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak
Convenient and Faster Turnaround
These premium centres, though fee-based, are expected to alleviate pressure on regular service centres and provide an alternative path for Ghanaians who prefer convenience and faster turnaround.
With the Ghana Card increasingly becoming a prerequisite for voter registration, SIM card re-registration, bank transactions, and even passport applications, the relevance of the NIA’s work continues to expand.
The Government Accountability Series is an initiative by the Presidency designed to promote transparency by giving the public direct insights into the performance of various ministries, departments, and agencies.
Hon. Muntaka’s presentation on the work of the NIA formed part of efforts to demonstrate tangible progress in citizen-facing services, especially those central to national data infrastructure and identification.
While acknowledging that challenges remain, particularly in reaching underserved rural communities and ensuring affordability, the Minister expressed optimism that the NIA’s renewed operational momentum could serve as a model for other public agencies aiming to improve efficiency and trust.
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