The Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, has warned that citizens who fail to update their personal records with the Authority within 30 days of any change risk prosecution under national identification laws.

He said the directive will be strictly enforced to ensure that the national identity database remains accurate and up to date.

Speaking at the launch of the NIA’s 20th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, May 21, 2026, Mr Deku explained that individuals are required to update their records when there are changes in marital status, employment status, residential address, or contact information.

He noted that changes such as moving from single to married, married to divorced, transitioning from school to employment, relocation, or changes in phone numbers must all be reported to the Authority within the stipulated 30-day period.

Mr Deku warned that failure to comply constitutes an offence under the law, punishable by a fine or a custodial sentence of up to 30 days.

“If within 30 days you fail to inform the NIA after your circumstances have changed, you commit an offence which can lead to a fine or a jail term of not more than 30 days, and we intend to enforce it strictly because the NIA system must be up to date,” he stated.

The NIA Executive Secretary further disclosed that the Authority has resumed nationwide registration of children aged 6 to 14 years, beginning from the Oti and Volta regions, with over 90,000 children already registered.

He added that technical challenges that previously delayed the registration of children aged 0 to 5 years have been resolved, paving the way for the issuance of Ghana Card Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) at birth.

According to him, final consultations are ongoing, and the full rollout is expected to resume in June 2026.

Mr Deku said the initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, which seeks to ensure legal identity for all, including universal birth registration by 2030.

“This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which provides legal identity for all, including birth registration by 2030. It means a child born in Ghana can begin life with a legal identity,” he added.

The announcement forms part of activities marking the NIA’s 20 years of operations, during which the Authority has expanded its national identity database and digitisation efforts across the country.