The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced it has commenced the expedited printing of the backlog of some 541,529 cards accumulated since July 2022.

The backlog, according to the NIA, arose from shortage of blank cards due to financial challenges.

The NIA in a statement noted that the preparatory works for the expedited printing started on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, and included the configuration of printers, print servers and laminators, as well as the deployment of additional staff from NIA’s Regional and District offices to augment the staff capacity at the head office.

The commencement of the expedited printing follows the payment of GH¢100 million by Government of Ghana (GoG) to CalBank PLC, which then caused the release of a quantity of blank cards to NIA on Tuesday 14th March 2023.

The printing of the blank cards is expected to last for 11 days, ending on 29th March 2023.

At the end of the exercise, NIA said it will make the cards available at its regional and district offices nationwide and announce to the public when the persons who registered for the cards since July 2022 should go to their respective NIA offices for the cards to be issued to them.

NIA said it stands committed to serving the public in dignity and integrity while remaining focused, coherent and rigorous as a responsive and responsible public sector institution.