NIA denies claims of reduced Ghana Card validity period

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting that the validity period of the Ghana Card will be reduced from ten years to a shorter duration.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, September 23, the Authority described the claims as “incorrect”, stressing that the Ghana Card remains valid for ten years from the date of issuance, after which it must be renewed in line with existing law.

“The Ghana Card remains valid for ten (10) years from the date of issuance, after which it must be renewed as required by law,” the statement clarified.

The NIA explained that recent comments by its Executive Secretary, Mr Wisdom Kwaku Deku, had been misrepresented. According to the Authority, Mr Deku did not announce a policy change but rather pointed out that, in the future, technological developments could necessitate shorter update intervals.

“His remarks reflected a proposal that, given the rapid pace of technological advancement and the evolving uses of the Ghana Card, future reviews could consider a shorter update interval,” the release stated.

The Authority noted that the current ten-year renewal period is necessary both because the physical card is designed to last a decade and because cardholders’ personal features change over time, requiring new photographs and record verification.

Mr Deku emphasised that the NIA’s commitment remains to ensure the Ghana Card remains reliable and responsive. “We are building a national identity system that is not only secure and multipurpose but also future-ready,” he said.

The NIA urged the public to disregard the misinformation and rely on official communications for accurate updates.