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Claim: A Facebook user has alleged that the cost of replacing a missing Ghanaian identification card, popularly called Ghana Card, is ₵720 (equivalent to $64.44).
Verdict: Misleading. DUBAWA’s investigation has revealed that while the cost of replacing a missing Ghana Card at the National Identification Authority (NIA)’s Prestige Registration Centre is ₵720, the same service at the authority’s regular registration centres is ₵200.
Full Text
A Facebook user, @AlloteyJacob, has alleged that the cost of replacing a missing Ghanaian identification card, popularly called Ghana Card, is ₵720 (equivalent to $64.44).
He advised Ghanaians to brace for the new price and guard their Ghana Cards against going missing. He wrote on Aug. 21, 2026, at 7:26 GMT that:
“Ghana Man, keep your Ghana Card well ooo. Because if it gets missing, you are to pay 720 Ghana cedis just to get a new one.”
Social media data showed that the post had garnered over 438 likes, 186 comments, and 21 reshares as of the filing of this report.
Reacting to the post, @AwuahCollins said the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) is heading to opposition.
“They are heading straight to opposition. Aden mode Ghana ho beye yie NDC party?” he said.
For @PeterEshun, a card that was initially free is now costing money. “Something free, and even they charged 125 Ghana cedis for replacement, and now it has gotten to 720 within two years. I’m not part of the six million voters, wai.”
But @Asanababia believes many people have yet to interrogate the claim to verify its authenticity. “I have gone through some of the comments. I can confidently say that Ghanaians like school but don’t like reading or doing research. Apuuuuuuu,” he wrote.
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim because of the post’s engagement.
Verification
DUBAWA’s investigation found that it is misleading to claim Ghanaians will now pay ₵720 to replace a missing Ghana Card.
While the cost of replacing a missing Ghana Card at the National Identification Authority (NIA)’s Prestige Registration Centre is now ₵720, the same service at the authority’s regular registration centres is ₵200 (equivalent to $17.94).
The new fees at the NIA Prestige Registration Centre. Image credit: NIA
The Prestige Centre is an optional, fee-based service introduced to speed up services at the authority’s centres.
The NIA Executive Director, Yayra Koku, has explained that the Centre operates 24 hours a day during the week and on Saturdays and Sundays.
The new fees at the NIA Regular Registration Centre. Image credit: NIA
The new prices were introduced following Parliament’s passage of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512) pursuant to the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080), which gives the lawmakers the power to impose fees for the provision of public services.
Registration is free for Ghanaians under 25 years, and ₵30 (equivalent to $2.69) for those over 25 years. But the same service at the Prestige Registration Centre is ₵610 (equivalent to $54.72).
“District centres are FREE for applicants under 25 years old and 30 cedis for those over 25 years old. Premium centres, located at regional offices, charge 410 cedis for first issuance,” Yayra confirmed.
Conclusion
The Facebook user’s claim that Ghanaians will now pay ₵720 to replace their missing Ghana Card is misleading.
