The National Identification Authority (NIA) has issued a stern warning to Ghanaians vouching for foreign nationals during the ongoing Ghana Card registration process, labeling the act as a serious crime that threatens national security.
At a press conference held on Monday, August 4, 2025, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA, announced that several individuals are already facing prosecution for their involvement in fraudulent vouching.
“The law is clear—no Ghanaian is permitted to vouch for a foreigner. Offenders will face full legal consequences,” Darlas stressed.
The vouching system is designed to help genuine Ghanaian citizens without formal documentation register for the Ghana Card. However, the NIA has uncovered cases where this process has been commercialised and exploited by individuals who are charging fees to vouch for foreigners they do not personally know.
“To those of you vouching for people you don’t even know just to make money, be warned: we are coming for you,” Darlas declared.
Currently, 20 individuals are being prosecuted, with some being Ghanaians who vouched for foreign nationals. The NIA emphasized that their systems are capable of identifying such fraudulent actions, making it easier for authorities to track offenders.
The Ghana Card has become an integral part of the country’s digital identity ecosystem—linked to banking systems, social security, health services, SIM registration, and voter rolls. As such, any compromise in the registration process could pose serious threats to national security and data integrity.
“The Ghana Card is more than just an ID—it’s a key to almost every major service in Ghana. If ineligible individuals get access, it compromises the entire system,” Darlas explained.
The NIA is calling on the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activities, including attempts by foreigners to use forged documents or illegally secure Ghanaian nationality through false vouching.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Ghana Card system, promising to deal swiftly with offenders and prevent future abuse.
As the rollout of the Ghana Card continues, the NIA urges all Ghanaians to participate responsibly and help safeguard one of the country’s most critical national databases.
