The complete global rollout for the registration and issuance of the Ghana Card to Ghanaians living abroad is set to begin on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Denmark.
This initiative follows a successful pilot registration program for Ghanaians in Canada and the United States, conducted by the National Identification Authority (NIA).
Training Embassy Staff
In preparation for the official launch, NIA officials, along with technical partners Identity Management Systems II Limited (IMS), are training staff at the Ghana Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, to act as registration officers.
Notably, Mr. John Djomaakwei Quaye, an employee at the Ghana Embassy, became the first Ghanaian in Europe to receive the Ghana Card.
Stakeholder Engagement
After the training, the NIA will engage with Ghanaians residing in Denmark and Sweden on Sunday, October 20, 2024. This meeting will inform them about the registration process and requirements.
Launch Event
The global rollout of Ghana Card registration will officially commence in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 22, 2024. Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, will participate in the launch virtually, while the event will be chaired by Ghana’s Ambassador to Denmark, Mrs. Sylvia Naa Adaawa Annoh.
First Phase Countries
Following Denmark, the NIA will continue the registration process in Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome, Brussels, and Paris as part of the first phase.
Streamlined Registration Process
The NIA has simplified the registration process for Ghanaians abroad, allowing them to initiate registration online by filling out forms, paying necessary fees, and booking enrollment appointments from home. Applicants will then need to visit the Ghanaian mission for biometric data collection.
Eligibility and Requirements
Registration is open to individuals aged six and older who possess valid Ghanaian passports and birth certificates. Those without these documents may complete the process using a vouching system. However, individuals who have renounced their Ghanaian citizenship or non-Ghanaian spouses are not eligible. Dual citizens who can prove their Ghanaian heritage are also welcome to apply.
This effort aligns with the NIA’s goal of registering all Ghanaians both domestically and abroad.
How to Register
To register for the Ghana Card, Ghanaians abroad should:
- Visit the web portal at www.register.nia.gov.gh and follow the instructions.
- Complete the application form, upload the required documents, and submit the application online.
- Schedule a virtual interview for application review.
After the interview, applicants will need to visit the Ghana Mission for biometric capture, using the encrypted QR code sent to them via email.
Vouching Process
For those lacking a valid passport or birth certificate, the vouching process allows two non-relatives or a relative with a Ghana Card to vouch for them. This procedure will involve a virtual interview with the Commissioner for Oaths and the voucher.
