The National Identification Authority (NIA) has assured Ghanaians that their printed but unissued identification cards are safe and secured at their disposal.
The assurance follows clarity to a video circulated on social media about some Ghana Cards allegedly left to rot at the Sowutuom Office of the NLA in Accra.
In the said video some 2D-Barcode cards printed between 2008 and 2014 under the John Evans Ata Mills and John Dramani Mahama administrations which were never issued have been left to rot.
However, a statement from the authority signed by the Corporate Affairs Head, Dr. Abudu ABdul Ganiyu, said all cards in their custody are safe across the 16 regions and the 276 district offices.
“NIA assures the general public that all printed but unissued ultra-modern cards meant for Ghanaians and eligible foreigners lawfully resident in Ghana are safe in NIA’s custody. Such cards are batched, boxed, and securely kept at the NIA Headquarters.”
They added that they will continue to safeguard all personal records under their care and maintain their security, integrity, and confidentiality at all times.
“As a data controller, NIA will continue to protest all personal records in its custody and ensure their safety, integrity, and confidentiality at all times,” NIA assured in the statement.
The statement also explained that the cards had already been audited by the NIA Board of Survey and passed for destruction as they have outlined a ten-year life span and cannot be used for any lawful purpose.
For the avoidance of doubt, the authority said “these 2-D Barcode cards are different from the current generation of multi-purpose, dual-interface, chip-embedded, biometric smart cards being issued by NIA since 2018 under the Government of President Nana Akuffo Addo.”
Below is the full statement:
