The National Identification Authority (NIA) has arrested six staff members and terminated the appointments of seven others following allegations of extortion during the recent free Ghana Card registration exercise at the Galaka registration centre in the Upper East Region.
The six staff members were identified by parents of applicants as having allegedly demanded money before registering their children aged between six and 14 years.
According to the NIA, the six have been arrested by the Bawku West District Police and are assisting with investigations.
The Authority also said it had terminated the appointments of seven other members of the registration team following an internal review which established that they were aware of the alleged misconduct but failed to report it.
In a statement issued on October 29, 2026, and signed by its Head of Corporate Affairs Directorate, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, the NIA reiterated that the registration exercise was intended to be free and conducted in accordance with approved procedures.
The Authority stressed that no staff member was authorised to demand unauthorised payments from applicants or their parents.
” No staff member is authorised to demand unauthorised payments from applicants or their parents,” the statement said.
The NIA said it took allegations of misconduct seriously and would continue to apply appropriate disciplinary measures to safeguard the integrity of its registration processes.
It further assured the public of its commitment to ensuring that services were delivered fairly and professionally.
The Authority has urged members of the public to report suspected misconduct through its official channels.
