The National Identification Authority (NIA) is advising institutions, particularly banks, to discontinue the use of photocopies of Ghana Cards for identity verification, labeling this practice as insecure and susceptible to fraud.
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This announcement was made by NIA Executive Secretary, Mr. Wisdom Koku Deku, during a press conference held to celebrate Identity Day at the Professor Ernest Dumor Conference Hall at the NIA headquarters in Accra. The event was themed ‘My Identity, My Umbrella.’
Mr. Yayra Koku emphasized that photocopies of ID cards do not guarantee that the individual presenting the card is the legitimate owner or that they were physically present during the transaction. He pointed out that only biometric verification methods, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, can accurately establish a person’s identity.
He shared examples of fraud, including a case where a businessman lost $1.5 million due to the use of a counterfeit card, which could have been prevented with biometric verification.
He also highlighted that biometric authentication provides a timestamp, indicating that the individual was present at the institution at a specific time.
Mrs. Theresa Eson-Benjamin, the Acting Head of Legal at the NIA, noted that while photocopying an ID card is not illegal, it is not a practice supported by the Authority. She explained that verification based on photocopies has resulted in numerous cases of impersonation and identity theft reported to the police.
Mrs. Eson-Benjamin mentioned that the NIA is working on regulatory amendments to impose penalties on institutions that do not utilize biometric verification when it is available. She encouraged citizens to demand biometric checks at banks and other service providers to safeguard their identities and mitigate the risk of fraud.
Additionally, the NIA announced that starting Monday, September 15, 2025, the online appointment booking system will be expanded to four regions (Northern, Eastern, Volta, and Ashanti) at Premium Centres nationwide, aiming to improve convenience and streamline the registration process.
