NIA targets foreigners in Ghana card fraud crackdown

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has begun prosecuting foreign nationals who attempt to illegally acquire the Ghana Card.

Offenders will face strict penalties, including imprisonment and deportation.

The crackdown follows multiple reports from financial institutions and concerned citizens about suspicious activities by non-citizens at registration centres.

So far, one individual has been convicted and is serving an eight-month prison sentence.

Thirteen more cases are currently under investigation, including one involving seven Nigerian nationals who allegedly attempted to register fraudulently.

According to the NIA, all convicted persons will be deported after serving their sentences.

“We’ve received credible reports from the public and financial institutions about foreigners trying to gain access to our citizen register. One person is already serving an eight-month jail term, and we have 13 ongoing cases. Just last week, seven Nigerians were arraigned at the Dansoman Circuit Court for attempting to register. We’re back in court on August 6 and hopeful for convictions,” said Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA.

The Ghana Card is now the primary ID required to access essential services across the country, making the integrity of the national identification system a top security concern.

To safeguard the system, the NIA has increased surveillance, strengthened security at registration centres, and is working with partner agencies to detect and prevent illegal registrations.

The Authority is calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour at registration sites to support the ongoing enforcement efforts.