Photocopying or visually inspecting a Ghana Card for identity verification during transactions is now an offence, the National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced.
The NIA says biometric verification of the Ghana Card is now mandatory for all transactions that require authentication, making it illegal for any institution or individual to make photocopies or visual inspection.
Executive Secretary of the Authority, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 15, indicated that the new requirement comes after the coming into force of amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations contained in Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2111, which was laid before Parliament three months ago and gazetted on Wednesday, July 15.
He noted that institutions that rely on photocopies or visual inspection of the Ghana Card for identity verification could face fines of between 500 and 2,000 penalty units upon summary conviction under the amended regulation.
It also stipulates that individuals who breach the regulations could also be liable to fines ranging from 50 to 500 penalty units.
“It is now an offence to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for the purpose of transaction. Biometric verification is now MANDATORY,” his Facebook post contained.
The sector minister, Mr. Deku noted, will brief the public on the implementation of the amended regulations and measures to ensure compliance in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the NIA boss has encouraged organisations seeking access to the Authority’s Identity Verification Platform to begin the onboarding process by contacting the Authority.
The NIA said the new measures are intended to strengthen the Ghana Card’s role as a secure means of identity verification, improve the integrity of authentication processes, and reduce the risks associated with the use of photocopies or visual inspection of identity cards.
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