The National Identification Authority (NIA) has suspended requests to change dates of birth on the Ghana Card while it reviews its verification procedures, Head of Corporate Affairs William Ampomah Darlas has disclosed during an interview.
The temporary measure is intended to prevent fraudulent amendments by strengthening checks on birth certificates and examination records through engagements with the Births and Deaths Registry and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
“We have identified certain date of birth change requests that require stricter checks to prevent fraudulent amendments.”
Head of Corporate Affairs William Ampomah Darlas
Darlas explained that applicants seeking date of birth updates must submit supporting documents, including West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) certificates and birth certificates issued by the Births and Deaths Registry. In some cases, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) certificate is also required.
He noted that when individuals initially register without birth certificates, the Authority may accept subsequent requests supported by WASSCE or BECE certificates carrying the requested date of birth.
NIA Reviews Ghana Card Date of Birth Verification
However, the NIA has identified difficulties in confirming whether such documents are genuine, raising concerns that fabricated certificates could be used to secure changes that do not reflect an applicant’s actual date of birth.
“Our challenge is how to authenticate these certificates because we are all aware that people can easily fabricate WASSCE and BECE certificates or even birth certificates to get what they want.”
Head of Corporate Affairs William Ampomah
Darlas indicated that the Authority had therefore decided to reassess its procedures and consult the institutions responsible for issuing the documents. The engagements with WAEC and the Births and Deaths Registry are expected to establish stronger safeguards for verifying certificates before officials approve amendments.
Unusual Requests Raise Fraud Concerns
The NIA official also pointed to requests that appear inconsistent with information applicants provided during their initial registration.
He cited cases in which a person registered with 1980 as the year of birth but returned some years later seeking to change it to 1990. Such requests, he explained, require careful scrutiny, particularly where the information submitted raises questions about its credibility.
He acknowledged that physical appearance cannot reliably establish a person’s age, but maintained that some applications appear unusual enough to warrant closer examination.
The Authority believes that working directly with the document-issuing institutions will help address weaknesses that extend beyond its own operations. Darlas stressed that the NIA cannot independently resolve authentication challenges involving certificates produced by other public agencies.
He expressed confidence that the planned safeguards would help eliminate illegal or fraudulent applications and strengthen the integrity of the Ghana Card system.
Only Date of Birth Updates Put on Hold
Darlas emphasised that the suspension applies exclusively to date of birth amendments and does not affect other NIA services.
“However, let me hasten to add that we have only put on hold requests for date of birth updates. Other services have not been affected.”
Head of Corporate Affairs William Ampomah Darlas
He encouraged the public to continue visiting NIA offices for services that remain available, clarifying that only new and pending date of birth update requests are affected by the temporary restriction.
The Authority is also aware that some applicants have legitimate reasons for correcting their records, particularly where updated information is required to complete transactions or access services.
Darlas acknowledged that the suspension could inconvenience such individuals but maintained that stronger verification was necessary to protect the system.
NIA Targets Resumption Within One Month
The Head of Corporate Affairs assured genuine applicants that the Authority would work quickly with WAEC and the Births and Deaths Registry to finalise the revised procedures and restore the service.
“We are not going to waste time. We are going to work at top speed to ensure that the processes are swift so that we can quickly restore date of birth update requests.”
Head of Corporate Affairs William Ampomah Darlas
He explained that the NIA would not accept new applications or process requests already submitted until the revised verification arrangements were completed.
The Authority has appealed for public patience during the review, with Darlas indicating that it expects to resume accepting date of birth update requests within a maximum of one month.
The planned review is intended to ensure that future amendments rest on verifiable documentation, while preserving access for applicants with legitimate correction needs.
Until the new safeguards are ready, Ghana Card holders can continue to access other NIA services at its offices. The review will also strengthen confidence in the national identification system.
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