The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana has taken disciplinary action against staff members involved in the alleged extortion of parents during the free Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged six to 14 in Galaka, Upper East Region. Six staff members were arrested by the Bawku West District Police and are assisting with investigations.
According to the NIA, complaints from parents led to the discovery that some registration team members were demanding unauthorized payments before registering children. An internal investigation resulted in the termination of seven additional staff members who were found to have been aware of the misconduct but failed to report it.
The NIA emphasized that all registration activities must follow officially approved procedures and that no staff member has the authority to demand unauthorized payments from applicants or their parents. The Authority stressed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Ghana Card registration process and ensuring fair services for applicants.
The disciplinary actions are part of the NIA's response to reported extortion during the children's Ghana Card registration exercise at the Galaka center. The Authority encouraged the public to report suspected misconduct through its official channels and reiterated its commitment to delivering professional and transparent registration services.
The free Ghana Card registration exercise is aimed at eligible children, and parents and guardians are encouraged to report any staff member demanding money for officially free services. The NIA's actions seek to maintain public confidence in the national identification system and ensure the exercise benefits eligible children without unauthorized charges.
The Authority's efforts to address extortion allegations include urging the public to report any misconduct. This move aims to prevent similar incidents in future registration exercises and ensure that the Ghana Card registration process remains fair and transparent.
The NIA's disciplinary measures against staff members involved in extortion allegations demonstrate its commitment to upholding the integrity of the Ghana Card registration process. The Authority's actions are expected to enhance public trust in the national identification system and ensure that eligible applicants receive their Ghana Cards without facing unauthorized charges.
Key points
- The NIA arrested six staff members and terminated the appointments of seven others over alleged extortion during the free Ghana Card registration exercise in Galaka, Upper East Region.
- The disciplinary actions followed complaints from parents who accused some registration team members of demanding money before registering their children.
- The NIA emphasized its commitment to delivering professional, transparent, and fair registration services, and encouraged the public to report suspected misconduct.
