The National Identification Authority (NIA) have adopted an appointments system in a bid to address the increased demand for their services.
The façade of the headquarters of the National Identification Authority (NIA) now bustles with crowd activities as individuals seek assortment of services of the authority.
For those who are unable to gain entry into the main compound where the various services are rendered, they complain about the restriction. Entry is allowed to only those who have booked for appointment on dates allotted them by the NIA through an online system.
Unfortunately, many turn up at the location not knowing that they should have booked for appointment for the three main services using www.appointments.nia.gov.gh before proceeding to the location.
When DAILY GUIDE arrived at the place yesterday, a Formed Police Unit police officer was at the gate denying access to those without such appointments, some of who were overheard grumbling about the unexpected inconvenience.
The main compound was jam-packed with persons with appointments under canopies taking their turns to be served by NIA handlers in an orderly manner.
This reporter had no such appointment and so had to simply abort his mission to the place yesterday to later go through the procedure for an appointment date. With that done, the inconvenience would be avoided.
When DAILY GUIDE later reached out to the Head of Public Affairs, Ganiyu Abudu, he explained the appointment system which he said is intended to address the pressure on the authority.
There is an unusual demand for the services of the authority, a far cry from the early days when the registration commenced.
One of the persons who turned up at the NIA said her Ghana Card had her real name appearing as her surname, an anomaly which made it impossible for her to re-register her SIM card. “The MTN office asked that I come for a correction of the blunder,” she said.
The Public Affairs head explained that under such a circumstance, the customer will pay an amount of GH¢30 for the error to be rectified.
The Ghana Card is now required for many services including banking transactions and SIM card registrations among others.
Beneficiaries of SSNIT pensions must have their Ghana Cards merged with their SSNIT card by the end of December, the Trust announced a few months ago.
Premium registration for the Ghana Card is GH¢250, replacement of Ghana Card goes for GH¢30 and update of personal records also attracts GH¢30, according to a circular from the Clients Service Unit of the NIA and posted on the wall of the authority in Accra.
The NIA recently operationalised their regional offices across the country.
In another development, it has emerged that management of the NIA will embark on a retreat programme outside Accra from tomorrow.
By A.R. Gomda