NIA Begins Issuing Ghana Cards to Children Aged 6–14
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has begun issuing Ghana Cards to children between the ages of 6 and 14 who previously completed the registration process. The exercise started on Monday, October 6, 2025, and represents a major step in extending national identity coverage to younger citizens. The rollout is being conducted in phases, with the first targeting 56 selected districts across the country. Distribution is taking place at the same schools where the children’s biometric data was originally captured, a strategy the NIA says was chosen to ensure easy access and minimal disruption to academic activities.
To collect a card, each child must appear in person along with a parent or legal guardian. The accompanying adult is required to present the registration receipt, known as Form A, which was issued during the enrollment. Parents who may have lost this document have been advised to visit the nearest NIA district office with valid identification for assistance. Before launching the distribution, the NIA announced that it had cleared all backlogs of unprinted Ghana Cards. This, according to officials, made it possible to start issuing children’s cards without delay and demonstrates significant progress in improving efficiency within the national identity system.
Districts not included in the initial phase will be covered in subsequent rounds of distribution. The NIA has indicated that a detailed schedule for the next phases will be provided after the first round concludes. Parents and guardians in areas outside the first 56 districts have been encouraged to wait for official communication rather than attempting to collect cards from other regions. The Authority has also stated that new registration windows will be announced at a later date to accommodate children who were unable to register previously. The objective is to eventually capture all eligible individuals in the 6–14 age group.
According to the government and the NIA, incorporating children into the Ghana Card system aligns with long-term plans to build a comprehensive National Identity Register. As the card becomes more central to access to public services, digital systems, education, and healthcare, registering younger citizens is seen as key to inclusive development and data-based planning. Officials have called on parents, guardians, school administrators, and community leaders to support the ongoing exercise by following the guidelines provided and helping disseminate accurate information. The NIA emphasized that public cooperation is essential to the smooth continuation of the rollout.
