The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced that institutions and individuals can no longer photocopy or rely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card for identity verification during transactions.
According to the Executive Secretary of the NIA, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, the change follows amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2111), which have now taken effect after being laid before Parliament and gazetted.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Wednesday, July 15, Mr Deku explained that the updated regulation makes biometric authentication the mandatory method for verifying the identity of Ghana Card holders.
“It is now an offence to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for a transaction. Biometric verification is now MANDATORY,” he stated.
Under the amended regulations, organisations that violate the directive risk penalties ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units upon summary conviction.
Individuals who breach the rule may also face fines between 50 and 500 penalty units.
The NIA said the amendment follows the completion of the legislative process for the changes to L.I. 2111, which was introduced in Parliament three months ago and has now been gazetted.
Mr Deku added that the Minister responsible for the NIA will soon provide further details on the measures being taken to ensure compliance with the new requirements.
