National Identification Authority arrests six staff for extortion

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has sanctioned 13 of its personnel following allegations of extortion at a registration centre in the Upper East Region. Six staff members were arrested by the police, while the appointments of seven others were terminated for their involvement or complicity in the scheme. The incident occurred at the Galaka registration centre in the Bawku West District during the ongoing free Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged 6 to 14.

According to an official statement from the NIA, the arrests were triggered by reports from parents who alleged that the staff were demanding unauthorized payments before registering their children. While the registration for this age group is strictly a free service provided by the state, the suspects reportedly coerced guardians into paying various sums of money. The six individuals directly accused of these demands are currently in the custody of the Bawku West District Police, where they are assisting with ongoing investigations into the criminal aspect of the matter.

In addition to the police arrests, the NIA terminated the contracts of seven other staff members stationed at the same centre. These individuals were found to have been complicit in the extortion by failing to report the illegal activities of their colleagues to the authority's leadership. The NIA emphasized that its internal disciplinary measures are intended to maintain the integrity of the registration process and ensure that all staff adhere to the highest ethical standards.

The Authority has reiterated that the Ghana Card registration process for children is free and has urged the public to resist and report any attempts at extortion. Management encouraged citizens to use official channels to provide feedback or lodge complaints against any staff who demand payments or engage in misconduct. This crackdown serves as a warning to other registration officials across the country as the NIA seeks to uphold the credibility of the national identity database.