The National Identification Authority (NIA) has arrested six staff members and terminated the appointments of seven others over alleged extortion during the free Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged six to 14 at the Galaka registration centre in the Upper East Region.
It said the six staff members were arrested by the Bawku West District Police after parents identified them as personnel who allegedly demanded money before registering their children.
“The suspects are assisting the police with investigations,” the authority said.
In a press statement released last Thursday, the NIA also announced the termination of the appointments of seven other members of the registration team for allegedly being aware of the misconduct, but failing to report it.
The statement, signed by the Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the decision followed an internal review of the alleged extortion at the registration centre.
Unauthorised payments
The authority stressed that Ghana Card registration must be conducted in accordance with approved procedures, adding that no staff member was authorised to demand unauthorised payments from applicants or their parents.
It further assured the public that it would take allegations of misconduct seriously and would continue to take disciplinary action to protect the integrity of its registration processes.
The NIA has meanwhile encouraged members of the public to report suspected misconduct through its official channels to ensure that registration services are delivered fairly and professionally.
