Photocopying Ghana Card Now Illegal as NIA Enforces Biometric Verification

Photocopying or relying on visual inspection of the Ghana Card for identity verification during transactions is now illegal following an amendment to the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111).

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Wisdom Kwaku Deku, announced on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, that the amended regulations have been gazetted, making biometric verification through the NIA system the only lawful method for confirming the identity of a Ghana Card holder during a transaction.

Under the new regulations, organisations that use the Ghana Card for identification are prohibited from photocopying the card or accepting visual checks as proof of identity. Instead, they are required to verify individuals through the NIA’s biometric verification platform.

Institutions that fail to comply could face fines ranging from GH¢6,000 to GH¢24,000 upon summary conviction, based on the current value of a penalty unit. Individuals who breach the regulations may also face fines between GH¢600 and GH¢6,000.

The move forms part of ongoing efforts by the NIA and other regulatory institutions to prevent identity theft, fraud, and the misuse of personal information linked to the Ghana Card.

The amendment follows previous engagements between the NIA, the Bank of Ghana, and financial institutions on improving identity verification practices. Authorities have consistently warned that photocopying Ghana Cards exposes holders to potential identity-related risks.

The Bank of Ghana has also introduced guidelines requiring regulated financial institutions to use the Ghana Card and other approved identity documents for customer verification, including biometric checks for certain digital transactions.

Mr. Deku explained that the latest amendment extends the biometric verification requirement beyond the banking sector to all organisations that rely on the Ghana Card for identity verification.

He urged institutions that are not yet connected to the NIA’s identity verification platform to begin the onboarding process to ensure compliance with the new legal requirements.