The Vice Chairman of the Committee on Public Administration and State Interests of Parliament, Sammi Awuku, has raised concerns over the financial challenges facing the National Identification Authority (NIA), warning the situation poses a potential national security threat.
His remarks follow recent reports that importers and taxpayers were left stranded due to the NIA disconnecting the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from its verification services.
Mr. Awuku, who is also the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North disclosed that apart from the GRA owing the NIA a staggering GHC376 million, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIS) also owes over USD 50 million
He emphasized that these debts have crippled the operations of the NIA, which is responsible for maintaining the identity data of Ghanaians. According to the lawmaker, despite several engagements by the NIA with the GRA over the debt, there has been no response.
“Despite NIA’s engagements, as I am informed, the GRA has not responded. This has forced the NIA to take the uncomfortable step of disconnecting GRA from its Verification Services Platform having effect on import and export activities,” he said in a Facebook post.
Highlighting on the NIA’s decision to disconnect the GRA from its Verification Services Platform, Mr. Awuku described the situation as a looming crisis that should not be ignored.
“This goes beyond funding issues and the effect of this financial constraints is the NIA’s inability to carry out vital system upgrades or implement international best practices in data protection which is gradually becoming a cybersecurity and national security threat.”
He pointed out to the inadequate support for the NIA and unmasked that although the Authority requested GH₵78 million for its capital expenditure in the 2025 budget, only GH₵21 million was approved.
Mr. Awuku described this as woefully inadequate for an institution managing such sensitive and critical national data.
He called on the Ministry of Finance and the government to take immediate steps to address the issue, stressing that state institutions must not be left to fail before support is given.
“We can’t keep postponing the resourcing of essential state institutions and only act when disaster strikes,” he cautioned.
The former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) emphasised and urged stakeholders to treat the situation with the urgency it deserves.
“This goes beyond data, it’s about trust, governance, and national stability. Institutions that protect our identity must be protected themselves. Let’s act now,” he called on all stakeholders.
