Your cards are safe – NIA reacts to viral video on Ghana cards “left to rot”
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has reacted to a viral video on social media showing some old Ghana Cards allegedly “left to rot” at its Sowotuom Office.
The NIA in a statement signed by its Acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Abudu Abdul-Ganiyu clarified that the cards are 2D-Barcode cards printed between 2008 and 2014, but were never issued to Ghanaians.
According to the authority, the cards have been kept in stores and the basement of the NIA Headquarters Building located at No. 8 Nelson Mandela Avenue, South Legon, near Gulf House, Accra.
It added that the cards have been audited by an NIA Board of Survey and passed for destruction as they have outlived their 10-year life span and cannot be used for any lawful purpose.
Stored in “Ghana-Must-Go” bags, the cards were moved from storage to create space pending their destruction as the NIA Headquarters Building undergoes refurbishment
It said the cards were covered with a tarpaulin at the NIA Headquarters premises awaiting shredding, however, someone removed the cover, made a video, and shared it on social media.
The NIA also indicated that the 2-D Barcode cards are different from the current generation of multipurpose, dual-interface, chip-embedded, biometric smart cards being issued by its outfit since 2018 under the Government of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The Identification Authority further assured Ghanaians that all printed but unissued ultra-modern smart cards are safe in its custody.
“Such cards are batched, boxed, and securely kept at the NIA Headquarters and in the respective 16 Regional and 276 District Offices of NIA, and at its Premium Registration Centers for issuance.”
As a data controller, the NIA said it will continue to protect all personal records in its custody and ensure their safety, integrity, and confidentiality at all times.