The National Identification Authority (NIA) has postponed its services for updating personal records and replacement of lost and damaged cards until further notice.

According to the Authority on its website, this decision is to avoid over-crowding at its offices due to the surge in interest to acquire the Ghana card, which is the only acceptable identification card for the SIM Card registration exercise ongoing.

Overcrowding amidst the Covid-19 pandemic it noted "poses a public health risk", hence it has "determined it is prudent to postpone the roll-out of any other registration services until it is safe to do so."

However, the NIA noted that it will "continue to provide an update of personal records and card replacement services to the general public."

The NIA commenced the issuance of cards across its 276 operational District Offices on November 8, 2021.

The update of personal records and replacement of lost and damaged cards were scheduled to start on Monday, November 29, at all newly-established Regional and District Offices of the Authority nationwide.

Meanwhile, members of the general public who have registered for the Ghana Card but have not yet picked up their cards are advised to go to the respective NIA District Offices within the districts where they registered for the cards to be issued to them.