NIA Strike Hits Nationwide! Hundreds Stranded Over ID Card Services Shutdown | News Feed

Añadido: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]Hundreds of Ghanaians seeking registration and renewal services have been left stranded as workers of the National Identification Authority begin an indefinite nationwide strike. The workers under the Public Services Workers Union says government has failed to improve their conditions of service despite repeated appeals. The industrial action follows the expiration of a 7-day notice. Across parts of the country, frustrated applicants arriving at NIA offices see they were unaware services had been suspended.

[00:00:36]We didn't know they were on strike, you know?

[00:00:38]I have misplaced my ID card, my national ID card. So, I came for a replacement. Only for me to be told that they are on strike. I have been sitting more than an hour. No one seems coming.

[00:00:52]And so, you see we are so much frustrated. A friend of mine is also coming to have his own done. But then, I have just given him an information that the the people are on strike. And that he shouldn't come. He shouldn't waste time coming. Because I have traveled, I have I took taxi from where I stayed to this place.

[00:01:12]Only for me to be told that the people are on strike.

[00:01:16]Since they are on strike, we are not able to make those updates on our Ghana card. So, we plead on the government to pay those workers so that they too they can come here to work. So, that our needs can also be satisfied. So, that's why we are here. Now, how urgent do you need this service done? Okay, so for this service, I need it within the next 2 days. Maybe for the next 72 hours. I would be pleased if it would be my wish would be satisfied. That's why I'm here.

[00:01:54]Let's delve a little longer on the strike by NIA workers. been joined via Zoom by the head of corporate affairs of the NIA, Williams Ampoma Emmanuel Dallas. Mr. Dallas, good afternoon to you. Thank you for your time. Now, with this strike ongoing, what is the NIA doing to address the concerns of the workers?

[00:02:14]Good afternoon um to you and to your viewers.

[00:02:18]Right. So, as we speak, um I do not know whether to say the strike is in full force or not.

[00:02:29]But, the union gave a directive to its members yesterday that they should not go to work today.

[00:02:42]But, the National Labor Commission yesterday issued a summon inviting the management of the National Identification Authority, the leadership of the union, the local union, and then the mother union, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and then um the Finance Ministry.

[00:03:08]Now, the summon I mean or or the invitation was 20th of May.

[00:03:19]But, now there's another letter from the National Labor Commission bringing it to tomorrow, the 4th and of May 2026.

[00:03:28]They want to see all the parties so they can arbitrate.

[00:03:34]As we speak, some of our offices um are working as a result of the directive by the National Labor Commission because after the invitation, they directed that the strike is called off.

[00:03:51]And knowing the leadership the union as law-abiding people, I know that um they will abide by the directive of the National Labor Commission.

[00:04:03]Even staff who couldn't go to work today as a result of the earlier directive by the union, I'm sure will be at post, hopefully tomorrow, to make sure that services are rendered to the good people of Ghana.

[00:04:21]So, that is the current status of the intended strike of the union of the National Education Authority.

[00:04:30]>> What do you anticipate happening tomorrow? You mentioned that management and the leadership of the union are expected to meet the Labor Commission.

[00:04:37]What are you anticipating to happen tomorrow? Does it mean that tomorrow the workers will be returning to work as you negotiate?

[00:04:46]Yes, so as I said, uh that is what is supposed to happen.

[00:04:50]And even today, some of the members are at post working for Mother Ghana because they saw the directive from the National Labor Commission to call off the strike and come to the table.

[00:05:05]And I have also mentioned that I know the leadership of the union, both local and the mother union, they are law-abiding people. They have been doing this for a number of years and they understand the game.

[00:05:15]So, having been invited by the National Labor Commission, they will call off the strike and go to the table.

[00:05:23]Even before the National Labor Commission weighed in, there was an assurance from the Finance Minister that they should just give him about 2 weeks for him to peruse the final documents regarding the migration and then sign it off.

[00:05:44]2 weeks would have ended next week Friday.

[00:05:49]But, it does appear um they were looking for something more than an assurance.

[00:05:58]And so, they went ahead to issue directives to their members not to work today.

[00:06:06]But, fortunately, the National Labour Commission's invitation was also timely.

[00:06:11]And so, as we speak, I mean, the Volta and Oti regions monitoring our exercise.

[00:06:19]That is registering children age 6 to 14. Very well. And these members these um I mean, some of the staff that we have engaged are members of the union.

[00:06:30]And they are abiding by the directive by the National Labour Commission doing what they're supposed to do.

[00:06:41]But, briefly before you go, what happens to your client who have turned up at your various offices seeking um to be attended to?

[00:06:50]As I said, some of them did not see the communique or the directive from the National Labour Commission.

[00:07:00]And so, the number of people who couldn't go to work today.

[00:07:05]Hopefully, tomorrow I'm talking about clients who seek your services. So, for the ordinary Ghanaian who turns up I'm coming there.

[00:07:14]Hopefully, tomorrow we uh we anticipate that all our offices will be at post and will be able to serve the good people of Ghana. And so, for today, those who turned up in our offices and were unable to get our services we apologize for the inconvenience caused. But, we assure them that we are putting in place measures to ensure that our services are not disrupted.

[00:07:45]We are grateful for your time. Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Dallas speaks for the National Identification Authority. We understand that workers of that agency are on strike due to government inability to meet some um conditions of service. We keep an eye on this developing story and bring you more as and when we have it.