The National Identification Authority (NIA) has apprehended six staff members and terminated the appointments of seven others following allegations of extortion at the Galaka registration centre in the Upper East Region.
The incident occurred during the recently concluded Free Ghana Card registration exercise targeted at children aged six to fourteen. According to the Authority, parents of applicants identified six personnel who allegedly demanded money before processing their children. These suspects were subsequently arrested by the Bawku West District Police and are assisting with ongoing investigations.
Following an extensive internal review, the NIA also sanctioned seven additional members of the registration team. Management discovered that these individuals were aware of the illicit activities but failed to report them.
Emphasising its zero-tolerance stance, the NIA reiterated that all registrations must strictly adhere to approved procedures, stressing that no staff member is authorised to demand unauthorised payments from applicants or their parents.
“The NIA takes allegations of misconduct seriously and will continue to take appropriate disciplinary action to protect the integrity of its registration processes and ensure that the public receives services fairly and professionally,” the Authority stated.
Management has since urged the general public to report any suspected incidents of professional misconduct through official channels. The statement was signed by Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate at the NIA.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana