The National Identification Authority (NIA) has arrested six staff members and dismissed seven others over alleged extortion during the free Ghana Card registration exercise for children at Galaka in the Upper East Region.
The action follows complaints that some registration officials demanded money from parents before registering children aged between six and 14 during the recently concluded exercise.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, the Authority said the six staff members, who were identified by affected parents, had been arrested by the Bawku West District Police and were assisting with investigations.
The statement was signed by Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of the NIA’s Corporate Affairs Directorate.
The NIA also disclosed that an internal review led to the termination of seven other members of the registration team after they were found to have known about the alleged misconduct but failed to report it.
The Authority stressed that the Ghana Card registration exercise is free and must be conducted strictly in accordance with approved procedures, warning that no official is permitted to demand unauthorised payments from applicants or their parents.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the NIA said misconduct by staff would continue to attract disciplinary sanctions to protect the integrity of the registration process.
The Authority also urged the public to report suspected misconduct by registration officials through its official communication channels to help ensure applicants receive fair and professional services.
