NIA Denies Unilaterally Increasing Ghana Card Fees, Says Revised Fees Approved by Parliament
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has dismissed reports suggesting that it has unilaterally increased fees for Ghana Card registration and related services, describing such reports as misleading.
In a press release dated August 19, 2026, the Authority said the revised fees currently applicable to NIA services were approved by Parliament under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512), pursuant to the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080).
According to the NIA, the revised fees took effect on February 2, 2026, and were therefore not fees unilaterally introduced by the NIA in 2026, but a fee regime that has gone through the requisite statutory and parliamentary approval process.
The Authority also assured the public that its 276 district offices remain fully operational and available nationwide to provide Ghana Card registration and related services.
At the district offices, the NIA said first-time registration remains free for persons below 25 years, while persons aged 25 years and above pay a GH¢30 processing fee.
Other applicable charges include GH¢200 for card replacement, while record update only remains free.
The NIA explained that the full approved schedule covers other services, including card renewal, nationality updates and related transactions, and it is important to distinguish between the approved fees for services at district offices and the fees applicable to NIA’s Premium and Prestige service centre offerings.
On the introduction of its 24-hour Prestige Centre, the NIA said the facility should not be misconstrued as the replacement or closure of its regular registration centres.
The Authority described the Prestige Centre as an optional, fee-based superior service introduced to provide greater convenience, flexibility and faster access to NIA services.
The first Prestige Centre at Labone commenced operations on 1st August 2026 and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends.
It complements the Authority’s existing registration centres and provides an additional option for members of the public who may wish to access services in a more convenient setting, and its use is not compulsory.
The NIA said it recognises the legitimate interest of the public in understanding fees charged for public services and welcomes constructive questions and scrutiny, but said public discussion should be based on the approved fee schedule and the actual operations of the Authority.
It therefore appealed to media houses, commentators and members of the public to verify claims concerning NIA fees and services with the Authority or other authoritative sources before publishing or broadcasting them.
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