NIA Directs Institutions to Use Biometric Verification for Ghana Card
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has issued a directive urging institutions to strictly use biometric verification when authenticating identities with the Ghana Card.
This move, in line with the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), aims to curb identity fraud and strengthen security in public and private transactions.
Why Biometric Verification is Essential
The NIA cautioned that some institutions still rely on outdated methods like lookup lists and visual inspections, which do not guarantee identity accuracy. It stressed that biometric authentication—via fingerprint or facial recognition—offers real-time verification, eliminating risks such as:
✅ Identity theft and impersonation
✅ Use of forged or stolen Ghana Cards
✅ Reliance on outdated records
Risks of Ignoring Biometric Verification
Institutions that fail to use biometric verification risk facilitating identity fraud, as lost, stolen, or revoked Ghana Cards may still appear valid in outdated lookup lists.
To enhance security, the NIA has introduced the Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP), which allows institutions to verify Ghana Card holders against the National Identity Register (NIR) in real time.
How Institutions Can Access Biometric Verification
Institutions can request access to IVSP by downloading application forms from www.nia.gov.gh. The NIA has assured technical support for organizations that require identity verification for their operations.
The NIA urges all institutions to prioritize biometric verification to safeguard Ghana’s identity management system and enhance public trust in identity validation.