NIA to begin Ghana Card registration for children in Upper West, Savannah on November 12

The National Identification Authority (NIA), in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), will begin the nationwide Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged six to 14 in the Upper West and Savannah Regions on Thursday, November 12.

The exercise follows the successful completion of the registration in the Volta, Oti, Northern, Upper East and North-East Regions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 11, the NIA said registration teams would visit public and private schools to ensure extensive coverage, with the exercise taking place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Children within the eligible age bracket who are not enrolled in school may register at designated centres or schools within their localities.

Parents and guardians are required to present the child's original birth certificate, valid Ghanaian passport or Certificate of Acquired Citizenship.

Where these documents are unavailable, a parent, relative or legal guardian may complete an Oath of Identity form to facilitate registration.

For children without known relatives, two Social Welfare Officers responsible for their welfare may vouch for them under oath.

The NIA has also encouraged parents and guardians to provide the child's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card or NHIS number, where available.

It said anyone presenting a child for registration must be a Ghanaian aged at least 18, of sound mind and in possession of a valid Ghana Card.

The Authority has urged parents, guardians, school authorities, traditional leaders and other community stakeholders in the two regions to support the exercise to ensure its success.

It further cautioned that providing false information or facilitating the registration of a non-Ghanaian constitutes an offence punishable under the law.

The NIA reaffirmed its commitment to providing a secure, inclusive and reliable national identification system for all Ghanaians.