The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana has assured citizens that the introduction of the National Identity Register Amendment Regulation, 2026 (L.I. 2523), does not necessitate the acquisition of new Ghana Cards or fresh biometric registration. According to Mr. Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of the NIA Corporate Affairs Directorate, the regulation primarily changes the method of identity verification, making biometric verification mandatory instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the cards.
The existing Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and will continue to be used for transactions requiring identity verification. Mr. Darlas emphasized that the regulation aims to strengthen identity security, prevent impersonation and identity fraud, and protect personal information. He explained that biometric verification will rely on information captured during the initial registration, including fingerprints, iris details, and facial features stored on the card’s embedded chip.
Mr. Darlas stressed that cardholders are not required to register their biometrics again or replace their existing cards. He noted that cards issued in 2018, for instance, would remain valid until 2028, in accordance with the 10-year validity period. The Authority will announce renewal arrangements when necessary, with measures being considered to prevent long queues.
The NIA has clarified that the prohibition on photocopying, scanning, and visually inspecting the Ghana Card does not prevent individuals from presenting their physical cards for biometric verification. Mr. Darlas mentioned that telecommunications companies and some banks use a process known as match-on-card verification, which requires customers to present their physical cards so their fingerprints can be matched against biometric information stored on the chip.
To facilitate compliance among individuals and small businesses without access to the NIA’s verification platform, the Authority has developed a mobile application. The application will enable users to confirm identities through a simple yes-or-no response without disclosing cardholders’ personal information. Mr. Darlas assured the public that measures have been put in place to protect information accessed through the application.
The NIA will continue public education to ensure Ghanaians understand the new requirements and are not unnecessarily alarmed. Mr. Darlas urged institutions and individuals to seek clarification from the NIA whenever they are uncertain about the application of the regulation and advised the public to report institutions that violate the regulation through the Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force hotline.
Key points
- The existing Ghana Card remains valid and does not need to be replaced.
- Biometric verification will rely on information captured during the initial registration.
- A mobile application has been developed to facilitate compliance among individuals and small businesses.
