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What is ‘premium’ about a Ghana card?
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Dear Editor,
The National Identification Card otherwise known as the ‘Ghana card’ is supposed to be necessity and not luxury. Every Ghanaian is entitled to it, hence the authority charged to produce the cards must treat it as a public service.
The card, in my opinion, is being treated as a scarce commodity with the National Identification Authority (NIA) acting as private enterprise other than a state institution.
Apart from the challenges citizens had to endure in registering for the card, issuance of the card had delayed until recently when the NIA decided to release them.
Early this week, I overheard the NIA boss saying the authority intends to introduce a “premium service” for individuals who are unable to register for the card during the mass registration.
Per the arrangement, the service would be available after December 2020 where individuals or institutions would have to pay between GH¢ 100.00 and GH¢ 250.00 to acquire the card.
This announcement got me thinking; why should there be a ‘premium’ on a Ghana card? With this, the authority seems to be aiming at making profit which, I think, should not be the case.
I am aware a good number of citizens do not have the card but how many of them can pay this amount after December? Does the NIA intend to treat the Ghana card as a passport or driver’s licence?
I believe the authority must be thinking of making the card more accessible to the public even after the mass registration, and should not be thinking of making profit.
Citizens do not have to spend that much to acquire a Ghana card. We have had a fair share of institutions that have ‘bullied’ us well enough in this regard. The NIA must not join them.
Kakra Ofori
Mampong
Veteran Nigerian actor and African screen legend, Pete Edochie, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, during his visit to Ghana.
Edochie is in Ghana to launch the African Legacy Project, which includes a book, documentary film and an African Youth Mentorship Initiative targeting about 500,000 young people across the continent.
Mr. Gyamfi welcomed the opportunity for GoldBod to support the mentorship initiative, noting that it aligns with the Board’s Special Intervention Programme and its focus on social impact and economic empowerment.
GoldBod’s work is also referenced in Pete Edochie’s new book, which highlights Ghana’s efforts to ensure its gold resources contribute to national development.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned Ghanaians seeking employment in Zambia to be cautious of fraudulent job offers that could expose them to human trafficking and forced involvement in cybercrime.
The warning follows the arrest of six Ghanaians in Lusaka, Zambia, during a joint operation by the Zambia Police Service, the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Department of Immigration on August 23, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the operation targeted a facility suspected of being involved in organised cybercrime activities and led to the arrest of 79 people, including 10 Zambians and 69 foreign nationals.
The Ministry said six of the foreign nationals arrested were Ghanaians.
It explained that reports received by the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka indicated that some of those arrested had been recruited through what appeared to be legitimate employment opportunities, including online data entry jobs.
However, the Ministry said some were allegedly forced into online scam activities after their passports were confiscated by their employers.
It warned that the situation highlights how human trafficking groups are using fake employment opportunities to lure unsuspecting job seekers into illegal activities.
The Ministry has therefore advised Ghanaians travelling to Zambia or seeking employment there to thoroughly verify job offers, recruitment agencies and prospective employers before travelling.
Ghanaians living in Zambia have also been urged to remain vigilant when responding to online job opportunities and maintain regular contact with the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka for consular assistance when necessary.
The Ministry said the government remains committed to protecting the welfare and interests of Ghanaians travelling to or living outside the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
