Ghana now requires biometric verification when checking national ID cards. Under new regulations issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA), all businesses and institutions must scan a citizen’s Ghana Card using a mobile phone app that reads the card’s embedded biometric data.
Until now, many organisations simply visually inspected or photocopied the card, a practice that enabled criminals to impersonate others. The new rules make it a legal offence to do so; photographic or visual checks are banned, and the biometric app must confirm fingerprints, iris scans, photo and signature.
The card, known as the Ghana Card, is mandatory for citizens and foreign residents for activities such as banking, sim registration, passport and driver’s licence applications.
“It is now an offence to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for the purpose of transaction. Biometric verification is now mandatory,” said NIA chief Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku. Organisations that neglect to adopt the digital verification system face fines up to 24,000 Ghanaian cedis (about $2,100 or £1,550). Individuals may be fined up to 6,000 cedis (about $525 or £390).
The NIA urges organisations to connect to the app immediately and announced a forthcoming public brief on how to comply with the amended rules.
