The National Identification Authority (NIA) has issued a strong caution to Ghanaians, urging them not to allow institutions – particularly banks – to photocopy their Ghana Cards, describing the practice as both improper and illegal. According to the Authority, institutions that require identity verification must use the NIA’s official biometric verification platform instead of relying on physical card copies. Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, June 18, Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA, Williams Emmanuel Ampomah Dallas, stressed the need for secure and accurate verification processes.
“Unfortunately, most of these institutions, instead of subscribing to our verification platform and getting the right information, have resorted to taking the physical cards from applicants and making photocopies,” he said. He appealed to the public to stop submitting their cards for duplication and called on institutions to comply with due processes by liaising with the NIA for authorised access.
“We want to use this medium to plead with the public: do not allow any institution to photocopy your Ghana Card. They are supposed to approach us directly. We give them the data to conduct proper biometric verification,” Dallas explained. “We do not accept institutions that are doing ocular verification.
We can only get to the point of improved identity security if the public refuses to hand over their physical Ghana Cards for photocopying,” he added. Dallas reaffirmed that the NIA’s biometric verification system is the only secure and authorised means of confirming the authenticity of a Ghana Card. Dallas reaffirmed that the NIA’s biometric verification system is the only secure and authorised means of confirming the authenticity of a Ghana Card.
