The Ministry of Interior and the National Identification Authority, has announced the implementation roadmap for the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), making biometric verification the mandatory standard for confirming the identity of Ghana Card holders.
Addressing a press conference at the Information Services Department in Accra, the Minister for Interior Hon, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, said the new Legislative Instrument is aimed at strengthening the security of citizens’ personal data and protecting the integrity of Ghana’s national identification system.
The Minister explained that the amendment, signed on March 2, 2026, was gazetted on March 27 and came into force on June 9, 2026, after completing parliamentary processes.
Under the new regulations, organizations can no longer rely on visual inspection, photocopies or scanned images of the Ghana Card to verify a person’s identity. Instead, all identity verification must be conducted through biometric authentication against the National Identity Register or through approved match-on-card verification devices certified by the National Identification Authority (NIA).
The Minister noted that the previous practice of photocopying or scanning Ghana Cards exposed citizens to identity theft, fraud and unauthorized use of personal information.
He added that organizations are prohibited from requesting, retaining or reproducing photocopies or scanned images of the Ghana Card for verification purposes. Individuals involved in private transactions are also encouraged to use biometric verification where practicable and must not retain or share copies of another person’s Ghana Card without lawful authority or the cardholder’s consent.
The Minister warned that organizations and individuals who fail to comply with the regulations face sanctions, including fines, suspension or termination of access to the NIA’s Identity Verification System. Individuals who refuse lawful biometric verification without reasonable excuse could also face penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
To enforce compliance, the National Identification Authority will establish dedicated monitoring teams to inspect institutions, investigate reported breaches and work with law enforcement agencies to ensure nationwide enforcement of the new regulations.
The Ministry assured businesses that the implementation would be supported through public education, technical assistance and the deployment of approved biometric devices. The NIA has also published details of approved biometric verification equipment on its website to help institutions integrate with the Identity Verification System.
The Ministry urged banks, telecommunications companies, insurance firms, government agencies and all institutions that verify identities to begin transitioning to the new biometric verification system to ensure full compliance with L.I. 2523.
Story by : Belinda Anim Piesie
