The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it is now illegal to photocopy or visually inspect the Ghana Card for the purpose of conducting transactions, as biometric verification becomes mandatory for all services requiring identity authentication following the coming into force of amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations, L.I. 2111.
Under the new regime, biometric verification of the Ghana Card has become mandatory for all transactions that require identity authentication.
According to the Executive Secretary of the NIA, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, institutions can no longer rely on photocopies or visual inspection of the card to verify the identity of customers or clients.
“It is now an offence to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for the purpose of transaction. Biometric verification is now MANDATORY,” Mr. Deku said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 15.
He explained that the changes follow the maturity of the L.I. 2111 amendment, which was laid before Parliament three months ago and has now been gazetted.
“This follows the maturity of the LI 2111 amendment, which was introduced in parliament three months ago and gazetted today,” he stated.
Mr. Deku warned that organisations that fail to comply with the new requirements risk severe penalties under the law.
“An organization that contravenes this order commits an offence and faces a fine of at least 500 penalty units and up to 2,000 units on summary conviction,” he noted.
He added that individuals who violate the law could also face sanctions, with penalties ranging from 50 to 500 penalty units.
The NIA said the Minister responsible for the Authority would, in the coming days, outline measures being implemented to ensure compliance with the new legal framework.
“The Honorable Minister in charge of the National Identification Authority will address the public in the coming days about the steps being taken to enforce this amendment,” Mr. Deku added.
In the meantime, the Authority has invited organisations and institutions that require identity verification services to apply for access to the NIA Identity Verification Platform.
The move forms part of efforts by the NIA to strengthen identity management systems, reduce identity fraud, and improve the security and reliability of identity verification processes in Ghana.
