Prof. Ken Attafuah, NIA Boss
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has dismissed 10 staff members after investigations established their culpability in misconduct and extortion of funds from Ghana Card applicants.
The investigations also revealed that the said officers violated the NIA’s Standard Operating Procedures and applicable public service rules while performing their duties as public officials in charge of registration activities.
The conducts of the officers, who were stationed at NIA’s headquarters in Accra, were investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
They were taken through the standard procedures of investigation, which included the interdiction of the affected officers, and the appointment of a Disciplinary Committee of Inquiry to provide a hearing for each officer in accordance with the law.
A statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Directorate said management subsequently accepted the Disciplinary Committee’s recommendations.
According to the statement, the allegations against the dismissed officers included demanding and accepting unauthorised fees from Ghana Card applicants, as well as manipulating the registration system for personal gain.
“These acts of proven misconduct took place at NIA’s Head Office in Accra, Subin Sub-Metro District Office in Kumasi, Western Regional Office in Takoradi, Registrar General’s Department Office at Accra Central, Adentan Municipal Office and La-Nkwantanang Municipal Office.
“The actions of the officers not only contravened the fundamental principles of integrity and transparency that drive NIA, but also eroded the very essence of NIA’s purpose namely; the promotion of trustworthiness, dependability and credibility in public service delivery,” the statement noted.
The statement pointed out that the conduct of the dismissed officers also brought the image of NIA into disrepute.
During a recent round of visits to the NIA’s 16 Regional Offices across the country, the NIA’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, emphasised the Authority’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and ethical behaviour.
Prof. Attafuah said the officers’ dismissal sends a strong message that respect for the fundamental human rights of NIA employees will go hand in hand with the swift and certain application of the law, with the goal of establishing a strong, ethical, agile, and professional national institution committed to building a country of which citizens can be truly proud.
The Executive Secretary also promised to take additional steps to prevent similar misbehaviour in the future.
He noted that this included enhancing internal oversight mechanisms, conducting regular integrity training for staff, and establishing a channel for citizens to report any instances of misconduct or irregularity they may encounter during their interactions with the NIA.
“The NIA remains dedicated to fulfilling its mandate of providing reliable, credible, and transparent identification services to citizens while adhering to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct,” he intimated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu