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 in 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 and is aimed at strengthening data protection, preventing identity theft and combating identity-related crimes, including mobile money fraud.
Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister said L.I. 2523 was signed on March 2, 2026, under the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750), as amended, on the advice of the Governing Board of the National Identification Authority (NIA).
He said the Legislative Instrument was gazetted on March 27, 2026, and came into force on June 9, 2026, after completing the required parliamentary processes.
“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.
Biometric Verification Now Required
The Minister explained that identity verification must now be carried out through biometric authentication by matching an individual’s fingerprint or other approved biometric data with records in the National Identity Register or through match-on-card verification using NIA-approved devices.
Under the new regulations, institutions carrying out transactions covered under Regulation 7 of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), are required to verify identities biometrically.
They are prohibited from requesting, retaining or relying on photocopies, scanned copies or images of the Ghana Card for verification and may only use biometric methods approved by the NIA.
The Minister also advised individuals verifying identities in private transactions to use biometric verification wherever practicable and not to retain or share Ghana Card information unless authorised by law or with the cardholder’s consent.
Penalties and Enforcement
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak warned that anyone who, without reasonable excuse, refuses to allow an authorised law enforcement officer or other authorised person to conduct fingerprint or live facial verification commits an offence under the regulations.
He said sanctions for non-compliance include fines, imprisonment in some cases, suspension or termination of an institution’s access to the NIA Identity Verification System and, where applicable, the withdrawal of business licences.
“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,” he said.
To ensure compliance, the Minister announced that the NIA would establish dedicated enforcement teams to monitor institutions, investigate reported breaches and collaborate with law enforcement agencies.
Three-Month Transition Period
To facilitate implementation, the Government has granted a three-month transition period from July 27 to November 2, 2026, to allow institutions to procure approved biometric devices, integrate their systems and train staff.
The Minister stressed that the transition period is intended solely to support implementation and does not suspend the legal obligations imposed by the regulations.
He urged banks, telecommunications companies, insurance firms, hospitals, schools, government agencies and all organisations that conduct identity verification to complete the onboarding process without delay.
Citizens were also encouraged to refuse requests for photocopies of their Ghana Cards where biometric verification is required.
SIM Registration Reforms
The Minister revealed that the Government is collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations to integrate SIM registration directly with the National Identity Register.
Under the proposed system, individuals will receive notifications whenever someone attempts to register a SIM card using their Ghana Card details and will be able to approve or reject the request before registration is completed.
“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.
He added that the new SIM registration process is being designed to strengthen security while minimising inconvenience to the public.
NIA to Intensify Public Education
Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, said the Authority would embark on nationwide public education campaigns in English and local languages to educate citizens and institutions on 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,” he said.
Mr Deku disclosed that after the November 2 deadline, the NIA would deploy a dedicated biometric enforcement team, working alongside law enforcement agencies, to inspect institutions and ensure full compliance.
“If we come to your institution and find that you are still conducting visual inspection or photocopying Ghana Cards, the task force together with law enforcement officers will take action,” he warned.
He also announced that the NIA would publish toll-free telephone numbers to enable citizens to report organisations that fail to comply with the regulations or misuse the identity verification process.
