The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced a nationwide crackdown on institutions illegally photocopying or keeping copies of Ghana Cards, warning that offenders risk prosecution and fines of up to GH¢24,000.
The Authority says it is moving into its compliance and monitoring phase as part of efforts to ensure that institutions across the country follow the approved procedures for verifying the identities of their customers and clients.
As part of the exercise, the NIA will deploy a Biometric Verification Task Force to monitor institutions and check whether they are complying with the National Identity Register Regulations, 2021 (L.I. 2523).
Speaking at a press briefing, the Authority announced that the task force will begin visiting institutions across the country on November 3, 2026, to ensure that they are using the approved biometric verification system.
The exercise is expected to cover institutions that require identity verification as part of their operations, particularly those that have been relying on photocopying or retaining copies of Ghana Cards instead of using the approved system.
The L.I. 2523 is intended to strengthen identity verification in Ghana by ensuring that institutions use authorised biometric systems when confirming the identities of individuals in transactions where identification is required by law. The NIA has stressed that photocopying Ghana Cards or keeping copies of the cardholders’ information without proper authorisation is not permitted under the regulations.
The NIA therefore urged institutions to comply with the requirements and adopt the approved biometric verification system to avoid legal consequences. The Authority has warned that institutions found violating the regulations could face prosecution and fines of up to GH¢24,000.
