Stories and facts

The National Identification Authority (NIA), established in 2003 under the Office of the President, is responsible for issuing national ID cards and managing the National Identification System (NIS).

Its legal framework, including the NIA Act, 2006 (Act 707) and the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750), authorizes the collection of personal and biometric data with privacy protection measures. The NIA operates a national data center, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and security of collected data for Ghanaian citizens and foreign nationals.

Central to the NIS is the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which enables accurate and rapid fingerprint matching. The NIA integrates various sectors' systems with the NIS, enhancing identification processes and supporting Ghana's development initiatives.

Commencing in 2011, the NIA issued the current generation of identity cards, aiming to provide up-to-date data for national development while safeguarding citizens' privacy rights.

Explore the history of the National Identification Authority below.