The photocopying or visual inspection of the Ghana Card for transaction purposes has now become an offence, following amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), introduced by the National Identification Authority (NIA).

The new regulation makes biometric verification the only approved method for confirming the identity of Ghana Card holders during transactions, as authorities move to strengthen identity protection and reduce the risk of fraud and misuse of personal information.

According to the NIA, organisations that violate the directive could face fines ranging from GH¢6,000 to GH¢24,000 upon summary conviction. Individuals found guilty of breaching the regulation may also be fined between GH¢600 and GH¢6,000.

NIA Introduces Stronger Identity Verification Measures

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NIA, Wisdom Kwaku Deku, announced that the amended regulations have been gazetted, making biometric authentication the legally recognised approach for verifying identities where the Ghana Card is required.

Under the new arrangement, institutions that require identification from customers are expected to connect to the NIA’s identity verification platform rather than requesting photocopies or relying on physical examination of the Ghana Card.

The move is aimed at protecting citizens’ personal information and preventing situations where copies of Ghana Cards could be stored, shared, or used for fraudulent activities.

Why Ghana Card Photocopying Has Become a Concern

Concerns over the photocopying of Ghana Cards have increased in recent years, particularly due to fears surrounding identity theft and the misuse of personal data.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) previously cautioned financial institutions against photocopying Ghana Cards, explaining that biometric verification provides a safer and more reliable method of authenticating customers’ identities.

The central bank has also introduced updated guidance requiring regulated financial institutions to rely on approved Ghana Card verification processes for customer identification.

Impact on Banks, Businesses and Public Institutions

The latest directive affects all organisations that use the Ghana Card as a means of identification for transactions.

Banks, telecommunications companies, government institutions, and private businesses that require identity confirmation will now need to adopt the approved biometric verification process.

The NIA has encouraged organisations that are not yet connected to its verification platform to begin the onboarding process to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

Public Urged to Protect Ghana Card Information

Authorities are urging citizens to be cautious about sharing copies of their Ghana Cards, as the document contains sensitive personal information.

The Ghana Card has become a central identification document for many official transactions, making the protection of its information increasingly important.

With the enforcement of the new regulations, businesses and individuals are expected to adjust to a more technology-driven identity verification system that prioritises biometric authentication over physical copies of identity documents.