From March 2023 until January 2025, Ghana’s National Identification Authority (NIA) struggled with a severe shortage of blank Ghana Cards. As the authority ran out of these cards, thousands of registrants—including those applying for first-time issuance, replacement cards, or personal information updates—could not receive the physical cards they had duly been printed and queued for. This created a pile-up of unissued printed cards, some dating back to mid-2022 and accumulating throughout 2023 and into early 2025 .
Despite printing exercises—such as the expedited release of 541,529 cards in March 2023—the absence of additional blank stock meant operations slowed to a crawl and many people waited in vain . Even when more blank cards were printed, distribution to registration centres lagged, further delaying issuance. Uncollected cards also remained at regional and district offices from as far back as 2018, amounting to over 600,000 units .
Turning Point: The New Administration Steps In
In February 2025, the NIA received a major infusion of 700,000 blank Ghana Cards from its technical partners, after extensive negotiations led by the acting Executive Secretary . This fresh consignment was dedicated to clearing the backlog across multiple categories: first issuance, card replacements, and updates to personal information.
A special technical team was constituted to oversee the expedited printing and distribution of these cards to all district offices nationwide. This team’s mandate: to ensure that every registered applicant who was due to receive a card—and who had endured delays—could now access their card promptly .
Rollout of Issuance: April 2025 onward
By early April 2025, the NIA had begun formal issuance of cards to individuals in the Greater Accra Region who had applied since June 2023 but had yet to collect their cards—from first-time applicants to replacements and updates . The authority emphasized that card issuance under this push was free of charge and urged the public to report any unauthorized fees .
Simultaneously, registration was reopened to citizens aged 15 and above who had never enrolled. They too could receive their card without charge—finally aligning service delivery with the Ghana Card’s intended objective of universal identity documentation .
Backlog Fully Cleared: Instant Issuance Resumes
On September 12, 2025, NIA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Williams Ampomah E. Darlas, confirmed to the Daily Graphic that the backlog of unissued cards had been fully cleared—meaning that any applicant who had registered during the March 2023–January 2025 period but did not previously receive their card would now get it without delay. He assured the public that instant issuance had been fully restored at all 292 active registration centres nationwide .
As described:
“If you register today, you should be able to get your card today.”
He updated registration statistics: out of some 18.95 million Ghanaians enrolled in the system:
- 18,848,635 cards had been printed
- 17,747,459 cards had already been issued to successful applicants
- Roughly a million cards remained in distribution (but moving swiftly)
Why the Ghana Card Matters: Digital ID in Practice
The Ghana Card is no longer just a plastic ID—it has become a central pillar of identity verification in Ghana’s digital transformation. As of September 2025, approximately 95 public and private institutions had integrated with the NIA’s platform, including all major banks, government agencies, and key organisations, enabling real-time identity checks .
The NIA is developing a mobile application to extend access to smaller institutions, like microfinance firms, allowing them to connect securely to the identification system—a move designed to broaden financial inclusion and digital trust infrastructure .
Strengthening Legal Safeguards
During the interview, Mr. Darlas cautioned against photocopying of Ghana Cards, which he identified as unlawful and a risk factor for identity theft and other criminal exploitations. He announced plans to amend the law to penalise institutions that demand or photocopy citizens’ ID cards—a protection measure aimed at safeguarding personal data integrity and citizen privacy .
Moreover, the NIA intends to submit legislative amendments to Parliament once it reconvenes, reinforcing its mandate and strengthening overall governance of the national identity system .
