The National Identification Authority (NIA)says it has commenced an expedited printing of a backlog of 541,529 national identification cards (Ghana cards) accumulated since 2022.
This follows the payment of GH¢100 million by the government to CalBank PLC to pave the way to clear thebacklog which arose from the shortage of blank cards due to financial challenges.
A press statement issued by the NIA Corporate Affairs Directorate and copied the Ghanaian Times yesterday said the preparatory works for the expedited printingstarted lastWednesday.
The payment of the CalBank debt led to the release of quantity of blank cards to the NIA last week with the printing of the blank cards expected to end next week Wednesday.
“Preparatory works for the expedited printing started on Wednesday, March15 2023 and included the configuration of printers, print servers and laminators, as well as the deployment of additional staff from NIA’s Regional and District offices to augment the staff capacity at the Head Office,” the statement said.
The NIA at the end of the exercise would make the cards available at its Regional and District Offices nationwide and also announce to the public when persons who registered for the cards could go for them.
Additionally, the Authority notedthat “it stands committed to serving the public in dignity and integrity while remaining focused, coherent and rigorous as a responsive and responsible public sector institution.”
The NIA has been at the centre of criticism from the public for weeks now due to their inability to print and issue cards to applicants who had been queuing at various centres.
