Government Bans Independent Biometric Systems, Orders MDAs to Use Ghana Card for All Identity Verification
A new presidential directive has been issued, immediately prohibiting all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from procuring or operating independent biometric systems outside the framework of the National Identification Authority (NIA). The directive, which took effect this week, also bars public institutions from maintaining parallel databases or conducting identity verification without biometric checks linked to the Ghana Card.
The move forms part of a broader government effort to consolidate all national identification processes under the Ghana Card system to enhance security, efficiency, and data integrity across public sector operations. According to the directive, any MDA found to be engaging in separate biometric data collection or verification activities will be in breach of the new policy, attracting administrative sanctions.
Government sources say the decision follows concerns about the proliferation of parallel data systems across ministries and agencies, which have led to inconsistencies in citizen identity records and increased cybersecurity risks. In recent years, multiple institutions—including the Ghana Health Service, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), have developed independent identity databases, resulting in duplication of data and higher operational costs.
Under the new policy, all identity-related services must now be authenticated through the NIA’s central database using the Ghana Card, which is recognised as the country’s single source of truth for personal identification. The directive specifically mandates that all forms of identity verification, whether for employment, public services, or financial transactions, must involve biometric authentication.
A senior government official familiar with the directive said the decision is meant to ensure that Ghana’s digital governance structure remains coherent and secure. “We have reached a point where data fragmentation is a major risk to national security and digital efficiency. The President has therefore directed all agencies to integrate with the NIA database and discontinue any separate biometric operations,” the official explained.
The NIA, led by Executive Secretary Prof. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, has already initiated discussions with key institutions to implement the directive. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting, Prof. Attafuah welcomed the decision, stating that it will “streamline national identity management and eliminate wasteful duplication.” He added that the NIA’s central database has the capacity to serve both public and private sector institutions through its existing biometric verification infrastructure.
The directive is also expected to affect future public procurement. MDAs seeking to acquire IT systems involving identity management or verification will now require explicit approval from the NIA and the Office of the President. This aims to prevent the purchase of redundant biometric equipment and ensure alignment with the government’s national digital identity strategy.
Experts have largely welcomed the move, describing it as a critical step towards strengthening Ghana’s digital ecosystem. Dr. Thomas Ango Bediako, a cybersecurity and data governance analyst, noted that the integration of all ID systems under the Ghana Card will “reduce the attack surface for data breaches and promote interoperability among government platforms.” He, however, cautioned that the transition process must be handled carefully to avoid disruptions in service delivery.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the readiness of the NIA to manage a complete national integration, citing instances of system downtimes, limited registration coverage in remote areas, and slow card issuance. Civil society groups have also urged the government to ensure that the new directive does not exclude citizens who have not yet received their Ghana Cards from accessing essential public services.
The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, working with the NIA, is expected to release detailed implementation guidelines in the coming days. These guidelines will specify integration timelines, technical requirements, and compliance procedures for all public institutions.
In the meantime, the presidency has instructed the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) to monitor and ensure that all MDAs comply fully with the directive. The government maintains that this policy is part of its broader national digital transformation agenda, aimed at achieving a unified, secure, and efficient identity verification framework across Ghana’s public sector.
Gov’t Orders MMDAs to Submit Assembly Members’ Details for Monthly Allowance Payments
