Ghana Imposes Biometric Verification, Bans ID Card Photocopies

Mon Sep 14 2026 13:08:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Ghana’s new ID rules mandate biometric scanning, banning photocopies and locking down fraud with fines.

Ghana has taken a hard stance against identity fraud by enforcing biometric verification for all national ID checks. The new regulation makes it illegal to photocopy or visually inspect the Ghana Card, ensuring that only a mobile app can confirm a citizen’s biometric data. Fines for non‑compliant businesses climb to 24,000 cedis ($2,100), while individuals risk 6,000 cedis ($525). The National Identification Authority urges firms to adopt the digital verification app immediately. The move underlines the country’s push toward tighter security and modern identity infrastructure.

Ghana’s Crackdown on ID Card Fraud

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced that all businesses, banks, telecoms, and other institutions must now scan the Ghana Card with a biometric app to verify identity. This measure will force them to cross‑check fingerprints, iris scans, and a photograph stored on the plastic card.

Photocopying or relying on visual inspection of the card is now illegal. Companies that fail to comply face fines up to 24,000 cedis ($2,100), while individuals risk up to 6,000 cedis ($525).

The NIA said the move is aimed at reducing fraud cases where criminals used forged or duplicated cards. It also stressed that the new regulation is part of a broader push for digital identity infrastructure across Ghana.

If an organisation is yet to activate the app, the authority urged them to do so “immediately” and promised a public briefing in the coming days. The crackdown comes just as the Ghana Card has become essential for everyday transactions, from banking to registering SIM cards and applying for passports or driver’s licences.

For more in‑depth coverage and live analysis, read our full report.