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The National Identification Authority (NIA) has apprehended six staff members and terminated the appointments of seven others following reports of extortion at the Galaka registration centre in the Upper East Region. The actions were taken after it was discovered that personnel were demanding illegal payments from parents during a nationwide exercise intended to provide free Ghana Cards for children. The Authority took swift action to address the breach of protocol once the misconduct was brought to light by affected citizens.
The arrests were facilitated by parents who reported that staff members were soliciting money before allowing children to be registered. Following these initial complaints, the NIA conducted an intensive internal investigation into the operations at the Galaka centre. This review revealed that while six individuals were directly involved in the extortion, seven other staff members were aware of the fraudulent activities but failed to intervene or notify their superiors. Consequently, the Authority moved to dismiss those who had compromised the integrity of the registration process through their silence or active participation.
In a statement addressing the incident, the NIA emphasized that its registration services for children are entirely free and that no staff member is authorized to collect fees under any circumstances. The Authority has encouraged the general public to remain vigilant and report any further instances of misconduct to ensure accountability within the public service. This enforcement action serves as a stern warning to other personnel that the NIA will not tolerate deviations from its established operational standards or the exploitation of citizens.