Published: January 21, 2025
Monrovia – The National Identification Registry (NIR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, has officially launched the “National Identity Documents” initiative for children under six years.
A release from NIR on Monday, January 20, 2025, indicated that the program was inaugurated on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Monrovia. The pilot phase targets Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Gbarpolu Counties.
Funded by UNICEF, the initiative aims to enroll 5,000 children under six in these counties at no cost to parents, with UNICEF covering all expenses for the ID cards. The Ministry of Health will issue free birth certificates and verify the children’s immunization records before they receive their national ID cards. Where necessary, children will also be immunized during the enrollment process.
Speaking at the launch, NIR Executive Director Andrew Peters explained that the initiative, themed “Enhancing Visibility through National Identity Documents,” represents a significant step toward inclusive development under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Enrollment in the pilot phase is set to begin in the coming weeks.
Mr. Peters emphasized that the program aligns with the government’s goal of establishing a robust national biometric identification system to support policy planning and resource allocation. He acknowledged that enrolling children aged 0–5 had previously been a challenge due to the underdeveloped ridges on their fingers, making it difficult to capture their biometric data. This had excluded approximately 500,000 children in this age group—roughly 14% of the youthful population under 20, according to the 2022 LISGIS census.
However, in June 2023, the NIR modified its system to assign unique identification numbers to children under six. The program, now called “Enrolment at Birth,” seeks to record individuals’ information from birth, ensuring future generations have easy access to their birth records.
Peters disclosed that the harsh economic conditions, which made it difficult for many parents to afford the US$5 fee for the ID cards, prompted discussions with UNICEF. The partnership resulted in UNICEF agreeing to fund the enrollment of an initial 5,000 children.
“This initiative ensures that children under six can be uniquely identified, fostering better planning and access to services. It’s a legacy we aim to leave behind,” Peters said.
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