The National Identification Authority (NIA) has officially commenced a pilot programme to issue Ghana Cards to Ghanaians living abroad, with the first phase starting in Ottawa and Ontario, Canada.

The pilot phase began in Canada and will soon be extended to Washington, D.C., and New York in the United States.

Last week, NIA officials, in partnership with Identity Management Systems (IMS), held public engagements and trained selected staff from Ghana's mission in Canada to act as registration officers.

These officers are now facilitating the registration process for Ghanaians living in Canada.

Following this, NIA and IMS officials have moved to New York to continue public engagements and train embassy staff for the next phase of the rollout in the U.S.

The NIA has implemented a user-friendly registration process designed to be accessible and efficient for Ghanaians living overseas.

Applicants can complete registration forms, pay the required fees, and schedule appointments online, all from the comfort of their homes.

Preliminary interviews, including those for individuals vouching for applicants, are conducted online. On the scheduled date, applicants only need to visit the Ghanaian mission to provide biometric data and collect their Ghana Cards. T

he entire in-person process is expected to take just 10 minutes, ensuring a swift and convenient experience.

The fees for registration, as approved by Parliament, vary by region: USD55 for ECOWAS nationals, USD75 for applicants from other African countries, and USD115 for those from other parts of the world.

The programme is open to all Ghanaians aged six and above.

Applicants must present valid passports or birth certificates. Those without these documents can be vouched for during the interview process.

However, individuals who have renounced their Ghanaian citizenship or non-Ghanaian spouses are ineligible to register.

Dual citizens who can demonstrate their Ghanaian heritage are eligible to obtain the Ghana Card.