NIA workers stop working because of the Operational Support allowance
The Ministry of Finance hasn't paid the Operational Support Allowance (OSA) to workers at the National Identification Authority (NIA), so they have gone on an indefinite strike. Because of the lack of staff in their offices, many applicants are stuck at different offices and can't get their Ghana Cards or apply for new ones.
Immanuel Amuah 
The Ministry of Finance hasn't paid the Operational Support Allowance (OSA) to workers at the National Identification Authority (NIA), so they have gone on an indefinite strike. Because of the lack of staff in their offices, many applicants are stuck at different offices and can't get their Ghana Cards or apply for new ones.
The Public Services Workers' Union (PSWU) of the NIA's Divisional Executive Council called the strike on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, after having one last meeting with the Ministry of Finance. The union said in a statement that was signed by both Divisional Chairman Mr. Francis Bangfudeme Nyuzaghl and Divisional Secretary Mr. Adu Kyeremeh Kwabena that the decision was hard but necessary.
The union pointed out that the ministry hadn't made a clear promise or timeline for when the OSA would be paid. This is the only extra money that NIA staff get to make up for their low base pay. They said that this allowance came about after a lot of talks between a government team, which included people from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance, and union representatives. These talks ended in July 2024.
The union said that the allowance payments started in August 2024 and went on until December 2024, but they hadn't been made since January 2025.
The union said, “Throughout this period, staff have exercised considerable patience and restraint, largely out of respect for assurances from NIA Management, who communicated that tireless efforts were being made to resolve the matter and resume payments, yet nothing has been done,” the union said.
The union's repeated follow-ups, constructive engagement, and willingness to work together in good faith had not been met with the urgency and seriousness this issue needs, which is unfortunate.
“This industrial action is not taken lightly. It reflects the deep frustration of staff who have endured this situation for far too long amidst persistent neglect. Consequently, all PSWU members at the NIA are directed to withdraw their services indefinitely, starting Tuesday, June 24, 2025, until our legitimate concerns are addressed and outstanding payments resumed.
“We urge all members to remain united, peaceful, and law-abiding throughout this period. The Union remains open to constructive dialogue, provided such discussions lead to prompt and full payment of the Operational Support Allowance as negotiated, agreed and signed,” the statement said.
The Ghanaian Times did get in touch with Mr. William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, the Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate at the NIA. He promised to get back to them, but as of 5:30 p.m. when this report was written, he had not.
