Accra, September 24, 2025 – The Management of the National Identification Authority (NIA), led by Executive Secretary Mr. Wisdom Kwaku Deku, has begun a series of courtesy visits to former Executive Secretaries of the Authority. The initiative seeks to honour their legacy, tap into their wealth of experience, and draw on their guidance to shape the future of Ghana’s national identity system.
The first engagement was with Professor Ernest Dumor, the founding Executive Secretary of the NIA, who laid the groundwork for the country’s National Identity System. The NIA delegation expressed gratitude for his pioneering leadership, while Professor Dumor shared reflections on the early days of the Authority and offered insights to support the building of a more sustainable and future-ready identity framework.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the team also called on Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, who served two terms as Executive Secretary from 2008–2009 and 2017–2024. Prof. Attafuah is credited with several major milestones, including the nationwide registration and issuance of the Smart Biometric Ghana Card to more than 17 million citizens, the pilot registration for Ghanaians under 15 and those living abroad, and the establishment of Regional and District NIA offices.
During the interaction, Prof. Attafuah praised the new leadership for sustaining the momentum of his tenure. He also urged the Authority to prioritise workplace harmony, ensure efficient service delivery, safeguard the NIA’s data ecosystem, adopt cost-saving measures, and advance legislative reforms to protect the integrity of identity records.
Speaking after the visits, Mr. Deku noted that the engagements mark the beginning of a nationwide exercise with all former Executive Secretaries. He stressed that the initiative demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to celebrating its pioneers while leveraging their expertise to strengthen Ghana’s identity management system.
“The Wisdom Kwaku Deku–led NIA will continue to build on the strong foundations laid by our predecessors to deliver a secure, inclusive, and future-driven national identity system that serves every Ghanaian,” he affirmed.
The NIA said the outreach underscores its mission to uphold continuity, recognise past achievements, and prepare the Authority for the next phase of growth in identity management.
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
