The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, has voiced serious concerns about the ongoing standoff between the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). He described the situation as “needless” and detrimental to the economy.
The conflict arose when the NIA disconnected the GRA from its Identity Verification Service (IVS) platform due to the GRA’s failure to pay a debt of nearly GH₵376 million. This action has disrupted essential processes within the import and export sector, as the Ghana Card—issued by the NIA—is crucial for verifying the identities of importers and exporters.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Mr. Asaki stated that the fallout between these two government institutions is resulting in significant revenue loss for the country and causing frustration within the business community. He emphasized, “This is not a situation where a government agency is dealing with a private agency—these are two state institutions under the Ministries of Interior and Finance.” He expressed his belief that both ministries are in communication and working towards resolving this issue.
He warned that the disconnection is having direct consequences on import and export activities, as delays in verification mean goods cannot be cleared on time, which could lead to port congestion, demurrage fees, and overall losses to the state.
“This is a needless fight, unhealthy, and should not be entertained in this dispensation. I want to call on the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior to quickly summon their CEOs to resolve this,” he urged. The NIA’s IVS system is critical for identity verification across government services, especially those linked to revenue mobilisation and trade.
By: William Narh
