The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced a nationwide enforcement exercise targeting institutions that unlawfully photocopy Ghana Cards or rely on visual inspection instead of approved biometric systems to verify customers’ identities.
The Authority has warned that institutions found violating the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, L.I. 2523, risk prosecution and fines of up to GH¢24,000.
The enforcement exercise follows the expiration of the grace period granted to institutions to comply with the new regulations, which require approved biometric verification for transactions where identity checks are legally required.
Speaking to the media on Monday, November 2, 2026, the Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA, Williams Ampomah Darlas, announced that the Authority would deploy its Biometric Verification Taskforce nationwide from Tuesday, November 3, to monitor compliance.
He said the decision followed an extensive period of public education and stakeholder engagement aimed at preparing institutions for the implementation of the new requirements.
“Today is 2nd November 2026, which marks the deadline for the grace period given by the minister. And having undertaken these public education and stakeholder engagement activities during the grace period, the authority is now moving into the implementation and compliance monitoring phase,” he said.
Mr Darlas explained that members of the task force would visit institutions across the country to assess their compliance with the regulations and ensure they had adopted the approved biometric verification systems.
“Beginning with the commencement of the biometric verification implementation task force tomorrow, we are putting our men and women on the field to make sure all the institutions are doing the right thing,” he stated.
He added: “Tomorrow, the 3rd of November 2026, you will see our task force on the streets. We will visit institutions and make sure they are complying with L.I. 2523.”
New regulations target Ghana Card photocopying
The NIA said L.I. 2523 is designed to strengthen identity verification and prevent institutions from relying on unauthorised methods when confirming the identities of individuals presenting their Ghana Cards.
Mr Darlas noted that several services in the country require providers to establish the identities of customers before completing transactions or offering assistance.
Under the new regulations, affected institutions are required to connect to the NIA’s biometric verification platform to authenticate the identities of Ghana Card holders.
He explained that the system would ensure that identity checks were conducted through approved technological platforms rather than through photocopies of the Ghana Card or visual examination of the physical card.
The nationwide enforcement exercise will cover institutions and service providers whose transactions require identity verification under the law.
The Authority has urged all affected institutions to ensure full compliance as it moves from public education and sensitisation to active enforcement.
Institutions found engaging in prohibited practices could face legal sanctions, including prosecution and fines of up to GH¢24,000.
