Management appeals to striking workers to return

Staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA) have declared an indefinite strike over delays in the payment of their Operational Support Allowance, raising concerns about disruptions to Ghana Card registration and verification services.

The industrial action, which took effect on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, is being led by the NIA Division of the Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana.

In a statement issued on the same day and signed by the Acting Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate, Mr Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, the Governing Board and Management of the NIA acknowledged the concerns raised by the union.

It described the delay in payment as a serious matter for both staff and management.

The strike follows a communiqué issued by the union on June 23, drawing attention to the unresolved allowances and calling for immediate intervention.

In response, the NIA held a meeting on Tuesday morning with the Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Dr George Smith-Graham, and his team to discuss the matter.

Following the meeting, the NIA stated that payments could only resume once a timeline and written confirmation are received from the Ministry of Finance.

It warned that prolonged industrial action could disrupt services and lead to revenue losses, especially for organisations that rely on the Ghana Card for identity verification.

Management appealed to the striking workers to return to their posts while discussions with the Ministry continue. It reiterated its earlier assurance, made during a press briefing on June 18, that the allowances would be paid “very, very soon”.

The NIA also indicated that a meeting involving the Authority, the FWSC, and the union will be convened once the Ministry of Finance provides the required confirmation in writing.

Mr Darlas added that the Governing Board, chaired by Executive Secretary Mr Wisdom Kwaku Deku, supports the ongoing efforts to resolve the matter. Management, he said, remains committed to honouring all obligations owed to staff under existing agreements.

The Authority urged its workers to remain calm as discussions with the relevant agencies continue.