Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, has triggered nationwide confusion after comments during a television interview appeared to contradict the organization’s official position on Ghana Card validity periods.
During his appearance on TV3’s Hot Issues program, Deku suggested possible reviews to Ghana Card validity, remarks that many Ghanaians interpreted as confirmation that the current ten-year validity period would be shortened to five years. The comments immediately sparked widespread public discussion and concern among cardholders about potential changes to renewal requirements.
However, the NIA has since dismissed claims that the validity period of the Ghana Card will be reduced from ten years, with a statement stressing that the current ten-year renewal requirement is still in force. The authority described circulating reports about shortened validity as misrepresented information and urged Ghanaians to disregard them completely.
The apparent disconnect between Deku’s televised statements and the NIA’s formal clarification has left many citizens seeking clarity about their identification documents. According to the NIA’s official frequently asked questions section, the Ghana Card will expire after ten years due to technological changes and the estimated lifespan of the card body.
The controversy emerges as the NIA has been making significant operational improvements, recently announcing that the backlog of unissued Ghana Cards that accumulated between March 2023 and January 2025 has been fully cleared, enabling instant issuance across the country.
Public reaction to the mixed messaging has been swift, with social media platforms flooded with discussions about renewal costs and procedures. Many Ghanaians expressed frustration over what they perceived as inconsistent communication from the national identification body.
The NIA’s official position maintains that the ten-year validity period remains unchanged, citing technological considerations and the physical lifespan of the identification cards as key factors in determining renewal schedules. The authority has not indicated any immediate plans to review current policies regarding validity periods.
This communication confusion comes at a time when the NIA is expanding services, including recent announcements about Ghana Card registration for minors aged between six and fourteen years, scheduled to begin in October 2024.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in public communication by government agencies, particularly when senior officials make statements that appear to diverge from established policies without proper context or clarification.
