The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it is introducing major reforms to strengthen Ghana’s identity system. The changes will make biometric verification mandatory for all transactions.
Executive Secretary of the NIA, Wisdom Kwaku Deku, said the proposal is before Parliament. He said it will stop the use of visual checks and photocopies of the Ghana Card.
“All transactions should go through biometric verification,” he said. He warned that failure to comply will be an offence.
Mr. Deku said the reforms will improve security and reduce identity fraud. He added that they will strengthen trust in the national ID system.
The NIA has also resumed nationwide registration for children aged six to 14. More than 60,000 children have already been registered in the Volta and Oti regions.
He said technical problems affecting registration of children under five have been resolved. This will allow the issuance of Ghana Card PINs from birth.
He said this supports Ghana’s goal of providing legal identity for all by 2030 under United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9.
“This means a child born in Ghana can now begin life with a legal identity,” he said.
Mr. Deku added that the NIA is expanding services. This includes 24-hour registration centres and international registration missions.
He also said the system will be better linked with other state institutions. This will improve efficiency and data sharing.
He said ongoing reforms, including ISO certification and legal updates, will improve security and public confidence in the Ghana Card system
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