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Claim: Accra-based media outlet TV3 Ghana reported that the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, stated that the Authority intends to reduce the validity period of the Ghana Card from 10 years.
Verdict: True. DUBAWA’s verification of the interview granted by NIA Executive Secretary Kwaku Deku to TV3 confirms that he indeed made the statement about plans to reduce the duration of the Ghana Card. Although the NIA later issued a statement denying that its Executive Secretary made such a comment, a review of the video footage clearly shows that he did.
Full Text
TV3 Ghana, an Accra-based media outlet, reported that the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, said the Authority intends to reduce the validity period of the Ghana Card from 10 years. DUBAWA’s analysis of the interview video confirms that the statement was made, despite the NIA’s subsequent denial.
“The validity period of the Ghana Card is set to be shortened from 10 years, according to NIA Executive Secretary Wisdom Kwaku Deku, who confirmed the change will be part of upcoming amendments to the law,” the media outlet posted on Facebook on Sept 23, 2025.
The post, shared alongside a flyer designed on Sept 22, 2025, carried the caption: “Ghana Card expiration date to be reduced from 10 years in amended law.”
As of Oct 17, 2025, social media data indicated that the post had garnered over 2,434 comments, 169 shares, and 4,234 likes.
The post quickly went viral, sparking widespread concern among Ghanaians on social media about the government’s intention to shorten the validity period of the Ghana Card from 10 years to an unspecified duration.
See this, this, this, this, this, and this for reactions on the purported reduction of the Ghana card duration.
A screenshot of TV3’s flyer
An X user, @MrCollinsTetteh, wrote, “This is so unnecessary. Why can a passport last up to 10 years, but a Ghana card can’t last the same? This will only bring unnecessary pressure to your office and frustrate citizens. Some things no dey hia.”
In a sharp rebuttal, the NIA issued a statement saying the media report misrepresented its Executive Director.
“Comments by the Executive Secretary, Mr Wisdom Kwaku Deku, at a recent media engagement have been misrepresented,” the statement said, adding that Wisdom’s remark reflected a proposal.
DUBAWA investigated the claim to verify whether the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, indeed stated that the Ghana Card’s validity period would be reduced from 10 years.
Verification
DUBAWA’s analysis of the interview Deku granted to Accra-based TV3 revealed that he indeed commented on what was attributed to him.
Between minutes 4:42 and 5:01 of the video interview posted on TV3’s official YouTube channel, Deku explicitly stated that the Authority intends to reduce the Ghana Card’s duration from 10 years, saying:
“When you look at the technical report, it states it clearly, and even what we are doing now is we even want to reduce it downwards because 10 years is too much.”
During the interview, Deku justified the proposed reduction, explaining that there is no international best practice that prescribes a fixed validity period for national identification cards.
When asked about the specific duration being proposed, Deku responded, between minutes 5:24 and 5:29, saying:
“Wait, when the amendment comes, you will see it.”
Therefore, the NIA’s claim that the media misrepresented Deku’s comments is not supported by the available evidence.
Conclusion
Accra-based media outlet TV3 Ghana accurately reported the statement made by NIA Executive Secretary Wisdom Kwaku Deku, who confirmed during the interview that the Authority intends to shorten the Ghana Card’s 10-year validity period.
