The National Identification Authority (NIA) has stated some Ghana Cards captured in a social media video and alleged to have been left to rot at the Sowotuom Office of the Authority in Accra have expired.
The Cards, the Authority said, are old 2-D Barcode cards different from the current generation cards being issued.
The current Ghana Cards, it said, are multipurpose dual-interface, chip-embedded, biometric smart cards that the NIA has been issuing since 2018 under the Government of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The Authority clarified in a release that the old 2D-Barcode cards were printed between 2008 and 2014 but were never issued to Ghanaians and have been kept in stores and the basement of the NIA Headquarters Building in Accra.
The cards, the statement said, have been audited by an NIA Board of Survey and passed for destruction as they have outlived their 10-year life span and cannot be used for any lawful purpose.
“Stored in ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags, the cards were moved from storage to create space pending their destruction as the NIA Headquarters Building undergoes refurbishment.”
“The cards were covered with a tarpaulin at the NIA Headquarters premises awaiting shredding but someone removed the cover, made a video and shared it on social media,” the statement said.
The NIA assured all printed but unissued ultra-modem smart cards meant for Ghanaians and eligible foreigners lawfully resident in Ghana are safe in NIA’s custody.
“Such cards are batched, boxed and securely kept at the NIA Headquarters and in the respective 16 Regional and 276 District Offices of NIA and at its Premium Registration Centers for issuance.”
“As a data controller, NIA will continue to protect all personal records in its custody and ensure their safety, integrity and confidentiality at all times,” the statement said.
Read a copy of the release below:
