'Give us two weeks' - NIA Management pleads for calm as strike deadline looms

The National Identification Authority (NIA) issued an urgent appeal to its workforce to withdraw a looming strike notice. The NIA promised that a long-awaited breakthrough regarding their conditions of service is just fourteen days away. The plea follows a formal declaration by the Public Services Workers' Union (PSWU) to embark on an indefinite industrial action starting Monday, 13 May 2026.

The union cited prolonged delays in the migration of staff to improved salary structures, a process that has been in administrative limbo despite the Scheme of Service receiving approval as far back as July 2024. Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, the NIA's Head of Corporate Affairs, confirmed that the critical documents have finally transitioned from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Darlas explained that the migration exercise, which technically commenced in December 2024, had been snagged in various levels of departmental scrutiny before reaching the highest level of government. He stated, "Now it has moved from where it was to the Minister's table and the Minister has given us the assurance that in two weeks, he will append his signature so that the Controller and Accountant-General can then commence implementation. We are urging our staff to give us two weeks."

The PSWU's strike notice, dated 6 May 2026, was addressed to both the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the NIA Executive Secretariat. Should the strike proceed, it is expected to cripple registration services and the issuance of Ghana Cards across the country. Mr. Darlas assured the rank and file that their welfare remains a top priority for the NIA leadership.