Accra, June 24, 2025 — Staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA) across Ghana have today begun an indefinite strike, citing government failure to fulfill commitments on their Operational Support Allowance, their only significant supplement to low basic salaries.
The industrial action is being spearheaded by the Divisional Executive Council of the Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU), under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents the affected staff.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One News, PSWU General Secretary Bernard Adjei said the strike comes after repeated appeals to the Ministry of Finance for a concrete timeline or action plan to resolve the delayed allowance payments were met with silence and contradictions.
“We have made several efforts, including efforts at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, which then wrote to the Finance Ministry to confirm that our agreement was ratified and that we deserve the payment,” Adjei explained.
He revealed that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) had validated the NIA’s claims, confirming that the approved 2025 compensation budget for the Authority includes the Operational Support Allowance. However, at a meeting held on Monday, June 23, officials from the Ministry of Finance allegedly contradicted this position, saying the allowance was not budgeted for.
“The Ministry’s finance team claimed yesterday that it was not budgeted for, which is contrary to all official documents we have,” Adjei said, expressing frustration.
NIA Offices Nationwide Closed
As a result of the strike, all NIA offices have been closed, halting key public services such as Ghana Card registration, replacement, and verification. Adjei warned that the strike would continue until the Ministry takes “concrete steps” to resolve the issue.
“Currently, NIA is on strike, so no one will attend to you if you go to any NIA office,” he confirmed.
The strike is expected to have a major impact on services nationwide, especially given the role of the Ghana Card in identification, banking, and digital service delivery.
Background and Implications
The Operational Support Allowance is the only additional financial support granted to NIA workers beyond their regular salaries. Union leaders argue that with the rising cost of living and increased responsibilities under Ghana’s national digital identity agenda, the refusal to honor this allowance amounts to economic injustice.
Stakeholders are calling on the Ministry of Finance to swiftly address the impasse to prevent further disruption to national operations that depend on the NIA’s work.
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