The government has made biometric verification the mandatory method for authenticating Ghana Card holders following the coming into force of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523).
The National Identification Authority (NIA) announced that the new regulations, which took effect on 9th June, 2026, introduce a more secure identity verification regime aimed at protecting personal data and curbing identity fraud.
The regulations were signed by the Minister responsible for the National Identification System, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, on 27th March, 2026, under Section 73(1) of the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750), as amended, and were gazetted the same day.
Under the new framework, organisations can no longer rely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card to verify an individual’s identity. Institutions are also prohibited from requesting, photocopying, scanning or retaining copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes, except where expressly permitted by law.
The NIA explained that where biometric verification is available, individuals will no longer be required to present the physical Ghana Card.
The Authority said the new verification regime is designed to strengthen identity security, safeguard the personal information of Ghana Card holders and eliminate opportunities for identity theft and misuse.
To facilitate implementation, the NIA will provide onboarding, technical support and public education for organisations integrating with its Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP).
It has directed businesses, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and all institutions that verify identities in the course of their operations to begin onboarding onto the platform without delay.
Under the new regulations, identity verification must be conducted through real-time biometric authentication against the NIA’s database, replacing manual inspection and photocopying of the Ghana Card.
The NIA further announced that the Minister responsible for the National Identification System will, in the coming days, outline the implementation roadmap for the nationwide rollout of the new biometric verification system.
