The Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, has reassured Ghanaians that they do not need to present physical copies of their Ghana Card at banking halls once biometric verification has been completed.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Deku explained that the Personal Identification Number (PIN) printed on the card is sufficient for transactions, as the Ghana Card is designed with advanced security features that enable instant authentication.
“Verifiable proof of identity does not mean making a photocopy. You need biometric verification to be sure. Until authentication is done, the person’s identity cannot be established,” he stressed.
The Features of the Ghana Card
Mr. Deku highlighted that the Ghana Card carries three main profiles:
Once the E-ID is fully activated, citizens will be able to carry a digital version of the card on their phones, eliminating the need to always carry the physical card.
“This means that when you go to the bank, you won’t need to present your physical card; you’ll only need your PIN. Until biometric verification is completed, identity cannot be established. This is why the Bank of Ghana has directed banks not to request photocopies of the Ghana Card,” he added.
Why Was the Ghana Card Introduced?
The Ghana Card was introduced as part of a national identity project aimed at creating a single, robust database for all citizens and legal residents. It was designed to streamline identification across government agencies, banks, mobile operators, and security systems, thereby reducing fraud and improving service delivery.
The project, first initiated in the early 2000s, gained renewed momentum under President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, with the establishment of the National Identification Authority (NIA) in 2003. However, the rollout of the current biometric Ghana Card began in 2017 under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government, with the aim of making it the primary identity card for all transactions in Ghana.
What This Means for Citizens
With banking and other institutions integrating biometric verification systems, Ghanaians are expected to benefit from:
The NIA continues to emphasize that the Ghana Card is not just another form of ID, but a central piece of Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, linking individuals to services in health, finance, security, and international travel.
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