NIA begins Ghana Card registration for children 6-14 in Northern Region from June 11
The National Identification Authority, NIA, has commenced nationwide Ghana Card registration for Ghanaian children aged 6 to 14 years in the Northern Region, with the exercise starting on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The exercise, being carried out in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, forms part of the government’s efforts to build an inclusive and reliable national identity system that captures all citizens from childhood. It follows the successful completion of the same exercise in the Volta and Oti Regions, where a mop-up registration is currently underway to capture eligible children who missed the main phase.
According to the NIA, registration teams will move from school to school, covering both public and private schools across the Northern Region to ensure extensive coverage. The exercise will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Children within the 6-14 age bracket who do not attend school can also register by visiting any designated registration centre or school within their locality.
Parents and guardians have been advised to present the child’s original Birth Certificate, a valid Ghanaian Passport, or a certificate of Acquired Citizenship as proof of identity and nationality. Where these documents are unavailable, a parent, relative, or legal guardian may complete an Oath of Identity form. For children without known relatives, two Social Welfare Officers may vouch for the child under oath.
The Authority is also encouraging parents to present the child’s NHIS card or NHIS number where available, to support data integration between the Ghana Card and the national health insurance database. Persons presenting children for registration must themselves be Ghanaian, at least 18 years of age, of sound mind, and in possession of a valid Ghana Card.
NIA is urging all parents, guardians, school authorities, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders within the Northern Region to support and participate fully in the exercise. The Authority stressed that early registration will ensure children have legal identification for accessing education, health, and other social services as they grow.
The NIA further reminded the public that providing false information or facilitating the registration of a non-Ghanaian constitutes an offence punishable under the law. Officials said strict verification procedures have been put in place to safeguard the integrity of the National Identification System.
With the Northern Region exercise now underway, the Authority says it remains committed to rolling out the children’s registration across all 16 regions. The move is expected to close existing gaps in the national register and ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of age, is captured in the country’s central identity database.
Read the full statement below:
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