The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana has introduced new regulations to strengthen identity verification and protect citizens' personal information. As part of these regulations, public and private institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning, or retaining copies of Ghana Cards for identification purposes. This directive is contained in Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2523 and aims to prevent identity fraud and impersonation. Institutions are now required to adopt approved biometric verification methods instead of relying solely on visual inspection or physical copies of the national identity card.
The Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NIA, Mr. Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, announced the new regulations at a press briefing on November 2, 2026. He warned that institutions engaging in practices such as photocopying or scanning Ghana Cards would be violating the law. According to Mr. Darlas, the regulation specifically prohibits institutions from retaining copies of the Ghana Card for identification purposes. He emphasized that if citizens visit any institution to secure a service and are required to provide a photocopy of their Ghana Card, the institution would be going against L.I. 2523.
However, the new regulations do not prevent institutions from requesting physical Ghana Cards for transactions requiring biometric verification. Mr. Darlas explained that service providers, such as telecommunications companies, could still request customers to present their cards for machine-based verification. During this process, fingerprints captured from the individual are matched against the biometric information stored on the card. This method of verification is allowed by electronic verification and can only be done when the physical Ghana Card is presented.
The NIA has clarified that the existing Ghana Cards contain biometric information, including fingerprints and other identifying features, which can be used to authenticate cardholders. Citizens do not need to obtain replacement cards or undergo fresh biometric registration. Mr. Darlas assured citizens that the existing cards remain valid and that there are no plans to change the Ghana Card. The NIA's goal is to combat impersonation and identity fraud, which have been identified as major concerns in Ghana's identity verification system.
The implementation of L.I. 2523 follows a three-month grace period during which the NIA undertook public education campaigns and engagements with public and private institutions to prepare them for the new regulations. The Authority has also announced plans to deploy a biometric verification implementation task force to monitor institutions and ensure compliance with the new requirements. This task force will play a crucial role in ensuring that institutions adapt to the new verification methods and prevent identity fraud.
The NIA's new measures are expected to enhance the security and integrity of Ghana's identity verification system. By adopting approved biometric verification methods, institutions can ensure that the identities of individuals are verified accurately and securely. The NIA has urged institutions that rely on the Ghana Card to review their existing verification arrangements and ensure that their operations comply with the new requirements. This will help prevent identity fraud and impersonation, which have been significant challenges in Ghana.
The introduction of the new verification rules is a significant step towards strengthening Ghana's identity verification system. The NIA's efforts to educate the public and institutions about the new regulations have been ongoing, and the Authority is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to the new verification methods. With the implementation of L.I. 2523, Ghana takes a major step towards protecting citizens' personal information and preventing identity fraud.
Key points
- The National Identification Authority of Ghana has introduced new regulations to strengthen identity verification and protect citizens' personal information.
- Institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning, or retaining copies of Ghana Cards for identification purposes under the new regulations.
- The new regulations require institutions to adopt approved biometric verification methods to authenticate individuals.
