The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced that photocopying or relying on the visual inspection of a Ghana Card to verify a person’s identity during transactions is now illegal, following amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations.
The new directive makes biometric verification of the Ghana Card the only recognised method of identity authentication for transactions requiring identity checks.
The Executive Secretary of the NIA, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 15, explaining that the amended provisions under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2111 have officially come into force after being laid before Parliament three months ago and gazetted on Wednesday.
“It is now an offence to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for the purpose of transaction. Biometric verification is now MANDATORY.”
According to the NIA, institutions that continue to use photocopies or visual inspection of the Ghana Card instead of biometric verification risk prosecution and, upon summary conviction, could be fined between 500 and 2,000 penalty units.
Individuals who violate the new regulations could also face penalties ranging from 50 to 500 penalty units.
Mr. Deku noted that the sector minister will, in the coming days, provide further details on the implementation of the amended regulations, including measures that will be put in place to ensure nationwide compliance.
He also urged public and private institutions that require identity verification services to begin the process of integrating with the NIA’s Identity Verification Platform by engaging the Authority for onboarding.
The NIA said the changes are aimed at enhancing the security and credibility of identity verification in Ghana by reducing fraud associated with the use of photocopied identity cards and strengthening the Ghana Card’s role as the country’s primary means of secure identification.
