The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has directed all financial institutions to stop photocopying Ghana Cards for customer verification, insisting on biometric authentication as the only acceptable method for identity confirmation.
The directive, which aligns with the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), aims to prevent fraud and enhance security in banking transactions. According to BoG, outdated verification methods such as photocopying and visual inspections increase the risk of identity theft and financial fraud.
Why Biometric Verification is Mandatory
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Accra, Deputy Head of the Financial Integrity Office at BoG, Mr. Ashitei Trebi-Ollennu, stated that photocopying Ghana Cards compromises transaction integrity.
“We have never said that banks should photocopy Ghana Cards. Photocopying leaves room for fraud and compromises the security of financial transactions,” he emphasized.
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Instead, banks are required to use biometric authentication systems directly linked to the National Identification Authority (NIA) database for real-time identity verification.
Financial Institutions Urged to Fully Adopt Biometric Verification
The engagement focused on the theme “Protect Every Transaction with Biometric Verification” and was organized by Identity Management Systems II (IMS II) Ltd in collaboration with the NIA. It brought together the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), the NIA, and representatives from all 25 universal banks in Ghana.
- Experts at the event highlighted the benefits of biometric verification, including:
- Preventing identity fraud and impersonation
- Eliminating reliance on easily forged physical documents
- Ensuring real-time authentication with national identity records
- Aligning Ghana’s banking system with global security standards
Legal Backing and Industry Collaboration
Head of the Legal Directorate at the NIA, Teresa Eson-Benjamin, reinforced the legal requirement that the Ghana Card is the sole identity document for banking transactions.
Executives from the banking sector provided feedback on enhancing information exchange and improving efficiency in the verification process. CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks, Mr. John Awuah, and cybersecurity and financial experts also participated in discussions on strengthening Ghana’s financial security framework.
Moving Towards a Secure and Fraud-Free Banking System
The event ended with a unified call for banks to transition fully to biometric authentication, ensuring a more secure and fraud-proof financial sector.
As digital banking expands, Ghana is taking significant steps to establish itself as a leader in secure identity verification, reinforcing trust in the country’s financial system.
