Photocopying Ghana Card for verification now an offence-NIA warns

Institutions and individuals can no longer rely on photocopies or visual inspection of the Ghana Card to verify identity during transactions.

The National Identification Authority says biometric verification is now mandatory for all transactions that require identity authentication.

Executive Secretary of the NIA, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, announced the change in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 15.

According to him, the requirement follows amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations under Legislative Instrument 2111.

The amended regulations were laid before Parliament three months ago and gazetted on Wednesday.

“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 wrote.

Under the new rules, institutions that continue to photocopy Ghana Cards or rely on physical inspection for verification may face sanctions.

Upon summary conviction, such institutions could be fined between 500 and 2,000 penalty units.

Individuals who breach the regulations may also be fined between 50 and 500 penalty units.

Mr Deku said the sector minister will brief the public in the coming days on how the amended regulations will be implemented.

He added that the briefing will also address measures to ensure compliance by institutions and the general public.

The NIA has encouraged organisations that need access to its Identity Verification Platform to begin the onboarding process by contacting the Authority.

The Authority says the new requirement is intended to make identity verification more secure and reliable.

It also aims to reduce the risks associated with photocopying identity cards or relying on visual inspection, which may expose transactions to fraud and impersonation.

With the amended regulations now in force, the Ghana Card is expected to be verified through biometric authentication in all transactions where proof of identity is required.