Biometric verification of Ghana Card now mandatory – Interior Minister

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced that biometric verification of the Ghana Card is now the mandatory standard for identity verification across Ghana under the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523).

The new regulation replaces the long-standing practice of relying on visual inspection, photocopies or scanned images of the Ghana Card for identity authentication.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister said the reforms are aimed at strengthening Ghana's national identity management system, protecting citizens' personal data and combating identity-related crimes, including mobile money fraud.

According to the Minister, L.I. 2523 was signed on March 2, 2026, under powers granted by the National Identification Register Act, 2008 (Act 750), as amended, based on the advice of the Governing Board of the National Identification Authority (NIA).

The Legislative Instrument was:

• Signed on March 2, 2026
• Gazetted on March 27, 2026
• Came into force on June 9, 2026 after completing parliamentary processes

The amendment revises the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111) by making biometric authentication the legally recognised method of identity verification.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said the previous system exposed Ghanaians to identity theft because organisations often relied on photocopies or visual checks that could easily be manipulated.

"For too long, identity checks in this country have relied on officers glancing at the card or businesses photocopying and filing it away. That practice has real consequences. A photocopy can be altered, a scanned image can be misused or reused without the owner's knowledge or consent, and a Ghana Card can be presented by someone who is not the rightful owner," he said.

Under the new regulations, biometric verification authenticates a person's identity by matching fingerprints or other approved biometric information against records in the National Identity Register or through NIA-approved match-on-card devices.

The Minister explained that institutions carrying out transactions covered under Regulation Seven of L.I. 2111 are now legally required to perform biometric verification.

Affected organisations include:

• Banks
• Telecommunications companies
• Insurance firms
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Government agencies
• Other institutions that routinely verify identities

These organisations are prohibited from:

• Requesting photocopies of Ghana Cards.
• Retaining scanned copies or images.
• Relying on visual inspection alone.
• Using biometric verification methods not approved by the NIA.

The Minister advised individuals conducting private or informal transactions to use biometric verification whenever practicable.

He also urged citizens not to allow organisations to retain copies of their Ghana Cards unless specifically permitted by law or with their consent.

In addition, he encouraged Ghanaians to refuse requests for photocopies where biometric verification is legally required.

Under the new regulations, anyone who, without reasonable excuse, refuses to undergo lawful biometric verification—including fingerprint scanning or live facial verification by authorised officers—commits an offence.

The Minister said the regulations introduce significant sanctions for non-compliance.

Possible penalties include:

• Financial fines.
• Imprisonment in applicable cases.
• Suspension or termination of access to the NIA Identity Verification System.
• Withdrawal of business licences for defaulting institutions.

To enforce the regulations, the National Identification Authority will establish dedicated compliance and enforcement teams.

According to the Minister, these teams will:

• Monitor compliance by organisations.
• Investigate reported violations.
• Work with law enforcement agencies.
• Conduct nationwide inspections after the transition period.

He emphasised that the penalties are intended to protect citizens rather than punish ordinary Ghanaians.

"The penalties are not designed to punish ordinary citizens going about their daily activities. They are intended to hold organisations and individuals accountable for exposing citizens' data to unnecessary risks after being given the tool and time to do better."

Government has granted institutions a three-month implementation period from July 27 to November 2, 2026, to allow them to:

• Procure approved biometric devices.
• Integrate with the NIA Identity Verification System.
• Train staff.
• Complete onboarding requirements.

The Minister stressed that the transition period does not suspend the legal obligations contained in the regulations but is intended to facilitate smooth implementation.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak also disclosed that government is working with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations to integrate SIM card registration directly with the National Identity Register.

Under the proposed system, citizens will receive notifications whenever someone attempts to register a SIM card using their Ghana Card details.

They will then be able to approve or reject the registration before it is completed.

According to the Minister, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce fraudulent SIM registrations and mobile money scams.

It may interest you to know that many Ghanaians are stealing other people's identities to register SIM cards because they know they are going to commit fraud. They deliberately avoid using their own identities," he said.

Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, announced that the Authority will embark on nationwide public education campaigns in English and various Ghanaian languages to educate both citizens and institutions about the new legal requirements.

He reiterated that visual inspection and photocopying of Ghana Cards are no longer lawful methods of identity verification.

"The main reason is to protect against identity theft. Nobody can truly confirm that you are the rightful owner of the Ghana Card until biometric verification is done," Mr Deku stated.

He further warned that after November 2, dedicated enforcement teams working with security agencies will inspect institutions and sanction those that continue to rely on visual inspection or photocopying.

The NIA also plans to publish toll-free numbers to enable citizens to report organisations that violate the new regulations, reinforcing government's commitment to protecting personal data and strengthening confidence in Ghana's national identity system.