Ghana's National Identification Authority has severed ties with the Ghana Revenue Authority due to an outstanding debt of approximately GHC376 million.
News Article: NIA Disconnects GRA from Identity Verification Service Over Unpaid Debt
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has cut off the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from its Identity Verification Service (IVS) platform due to an outstanding debt of over GH₵376 million. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, including written notices and escalation to Parliament, the GRA has yet to respond or commit to a payment plan, leading to the disconnection on August 5, 2025[1][2][4][5].
The IVS platform is vital as it allows public and private sectors to verify individuals' identities in real-time via the Ghana Card database. The disconnection has significant implications:
- Disrupted tax compliance and revenue operations for the GRA, as it can no longer verify taxpayer identities.
- Negative impact on trade and customs processes, with many importers and exporters reportedly stranded at ports due to verification challenges.
- Broader risks to services relying on the IVS platform for authentication across public and private institutions in Ghana, potentially affecting service delivery and compliance[1][2].
The GRA, however, denies owing the debt, calling it a “legacy debt” that predates 2025. The Authority claims there were no clear service agreements or regulatory approvals underpinning the NIA's demands. The GRA also alleges that the NIA operates desks in their offices without paying rent or utilities[3].
The NIA, on the other hand, has stated that several institutions, including ECG, the Lands Commission, and Hubtel, have been accessing the NIA's database through the GRA, which is a breach of data laws. This breach could potentially pose a threat to the reliability of a critical national infrastructure[1].
The disconnection could potentially disrupt operations dependent on ID authentication, including those of ECG, Lands Commission, and fintechs. High-level discussions are ongoing to resolve procedural breaches and the unpaid debt, emphasizing the need for urgent resolution between the two agencies[1][2][3].
[1] Myjoyonline.com, (2025), NIA disconnects GRA from ID verification service over unpaid debt. [Online] Available at: https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2025/august-5th/nia-disconnects-gra-from-id-verification-service-over-unpaid-debt.php
[2] Graphic Online, (2025), GRA owes NIA GH₵376 million – NIA. [Online] Available at: https://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/gra-owes-nia-ghc-376-million-nia.html
[3] Citi FM Online, (2025), GRA denies owing NIA GH₵376 million debt. [Online] Available at: https://www.citifmonline.com/ghanadecides/2025/08/05/gra-denies-owing-nia-ghc-376-million-debt/
[4] Ghana Web, (2025), NIA disconnects GRA from ID verification service over unpaid debt. [Online] Available at: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/NIA-disconnects-GRA-from-ID-verification-service-over-unpaid-debt-809811
[5] Modern Ghana, (2025), GRA owes NIA GH₵376 million – NIA. [Online] Available at: https://www.modernghana.com/news/1015176/nia-owes-gra-ghc-376-million-nia.html
- The ongoing dispute between the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) over a debt of over GH₵376 million has wider implications for the business sector, as the disconnection of GRA from the Identity Verification Service (IVS) platform could affect tax compliance, trade, and customs processes.
- The dispute between the NIA and GRA, centered around unpaid debts and allegations of data breaches, could potentially spill over into the political sphere, as it involves high-level discussions and affects critical national infrastructure in Ghana, including important public and private institutions like ECG, the Lands Commission, and fintechs.
