After days of service disruption, the National Identification Authority (NIA) has resumed full operations across the country — a development bringing significant relief to stranded Ghana Card applicants in Keta Municipality.
The welcome return follows the NIA Division of the Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) of the TUC suspending their indefinite strike, which began on June 24, 2025. The industrial action, driven by demands for improved conditions of service, left hundreds of applicants across the country in limbo, unable to complete the registration process for the Ghana Card — a document now required for a wide range of civic, financial, and public services.
In Keta, applicants have welcomed the resumption as a timely intervention.
“We’re grateful the staff are back,” said Selorm Doe, a local applicant who had completed his biometric capture but was awaiting card issuance. “The delay was stressful, especially for those of us who urgently need the card for job applications, banking, or travel. Now we can breathe again.”
Long Waits, Long Distances
For applicants like Madam Stella Nyamadi from Abor, the suspension of the strike also means reduced financial burdens.
“Some of us travel long distances to reach the registration centres,” she said. “The strike meant we were wasting time and money. Government must find a long-term solution so this doesn’t happen again.”
Residents say the strike’s impact exposed vulnerabilities in public service delivery, particularly for underserved communities that depend heavily on mobile or limited-access registration centres.
Strike Suspended, But Concerns Linger
While the suspension followed intervention by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the National Labour Commission (NLC), workers have not ruled out future industrial action if their concerns remain unresolved.
The NIA staff had described their working conditions as “demeaning,” citing stagnated allowances, lack of career progression, and inadequate office logistics as key grievances.
Call for Lasting Resolution
Community members are urging government authorities to take swift and lasting steps to address the root causes of the industrial action.
“We can’t afford another disruption,” said Madam Nyamadi. “This card is now tied to almost every aspect of our lives — from healthcare to voting. A stable, efficient system is essential.”
The full restoration of services since June 30, 2025, has seen queues forming again at NIA offices and centres, with officials working overtime to clear backlogs and resume normal processing.
As stakeholders return to the negotiation table behind the scenes, Ghanaians hope that future registration efforts will not again become casualties of labour disputes — especially in a time when the Ghana Card has become the key to inclusion in national life.
