The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced that biometric verification is now the mandatory method for verifying the identity of Ghana Card holders following the coming into force of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523).
In a press release issued on Thursday, the NIA said the regulations introduce a more secure identity verification system aimed at strengthening identity security, protecting personal data and reducing identity fraud.
The regulations were signed by the Minister responsible for the National Identification System, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, on March 27, 2026, under Section 73(1) of the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750), as amended. They were gazetted the same day and took effect on June 9, 2026.
Under the new regime, the NIA said visual inspection of the Ghana Card is no longer sufficient for identity verification. It added that organisations must not request, photocopy, scan or retain copies of the Ghana Card for verification purposes except where permitted by law.
The authority further stated that where biometric verification is available, individuals will not be required to present the physical Ghana Card.
“The amendments are intended to strengthen identity security, protect the personal data of Ghana Card holders, and eliminate opportunities for identity fraud and misuse,” the statement said.
To facilitate implementation, the NIA said it would provide onboarding, technical support and public education for institutions integrating with its Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP).
It directed businesses, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and all organisations that verify identities as part of their operations to begin onboarding onto the IVSP without delay.
Summarising the changes, the NIA said identity verification “must now be done through real-time biometric verification against the NIA’s database,” adding that there should be “no photocopying of the Ghana Card for identity verification,” “no visual inspection of the Ghana Card as proof of identity,” and “no requirement to present the physical Ghana Card where real-time biometric verification is available.”
The authority said the Minister responsible for the National Identification System will, in the coming days, outline the implementation roadmap for the nationwide rollout of the new verification regime.
