NIA workers’ strike leaves applicants stranded nationwide; foreigners served regardless.

The nationwide strike by the Public Service Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Identification Authority (NIA) division, has begun to severely affect operations at various NIA offices across the country. The strike, which stems from the government’s failure to implement a newly approved scheme of service that would provide better conditions for workers, has left many applicants stranded and frustrated.

In Accra, several angry applicants expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation, describing it as unfortunate. Many had arrived to pick up their National ID cards, while others had come with their children in response to the government’s recent announcement to begin registering children aged 6 to 14 for the Ghana Card.

However, despite the strike, foreign nationals were still being served under the Foreigners’ Identification Management Services. This decision upset many Ghanaians waiting for their cards.

One applicant, Maame Yaa Jane, who had traveled overnight from Kumasi, was particularly furious. “They called me on Thursday to come on Monday. Why would they call me to come and collect my card when they know they were going to be on strike? We must be watchful of the things we are doing in this country,” she lamented.

Another applicant, a trader, voiced her frustration over the prioritization of foreigners while Ghanaians were left unattended. “How can they do this? In our own country? You will be attending to foreigners and refuse us, the indigenes, entry to the premises. Some of us, if we don’t sell in a day, our families cannot feed, and we have come all the way here to be treated as such,” she bemoaned.

As the strike continues, it remains unclear when NIA workers will return to their posts. The workers are determined to press on with their demands until the government addresses their concerns. Until then, stranded applicants may continue to face challenges, and the operations of the NIA nationwide are likely to remain disrupted.