NIA Begins Ghana Card Registration for Children Aged 6 to 14 in Northern Region
The National Identification Authority has launched the registration of children aged between six and 14 years for the Ghana Card in the Northern Region, extending a nationwide exercise that has already been completed in the Volta and Oti Regions. The initiative, which began on June 11, is being carried out in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority and represents a significant step toward building a comprehensive national identity database that includes every eligible Ghanaian from childhood.
Registration teams will move from school to school across the region, covering both public and private institutions, with operating hours set from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Children who are not currently enrolled in school will also have the opportunity to register at designated centres or at schools within their communities, ensuring that no child is excluded from the process due to their educational status.
The exercise demands certain documentation from parents and guardians. The Authority requires a child’s original Birth Certificate, a valid Ghanaian Passport, or a Certificate of Acquired Citizenship as primary identification. Where these documents are unavailable, a parent, relative, or legal guardian may complete an Oath of Identity form to facilitate the process. For children without known relatives, two Social Welfare Officers may vouch for the child under oath.
The NIA has also encouraged families to present the child’s National Health Insurance Scheme card or NHIS number where available, linking the identification exercise to broader health coverage goals. Individuals presenting children for registration must themselves be Ghanaian citizens, at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and in possession of a valid Ghana Card.
The Authority issued a firm caution against the provision of false information or attempts to register non-Ghanaian children, noting that such actions constitute offences punishable under the law. This warning underscores the importance the NIA places on the integrity of the national identity system as it expands to cover younger demographics.
The broader significance of this exercise lies in its potential to transform how young Ghanaians access public services. A national identity card from childhood opens pathways to health insurance, education records, and eventually financial services, laying the groundwork for more efficient governance and service delivery. The NIA has called on parents, school authorities, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders throughout the Northern Region to actively support the effort.
This registration drive is part of a phased national rollout that began with the Volta and Oti Regions, with a mop-up exercise currently underway to capture children who were missed in those earlier phases. The systematic approach reflects lessons learned from earlier rounds of registration and a growing institutional capacity to reach remote communities.
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