Ghana Requires Unified Biometric Verification for State Entities

Published Date : 10/30/2025 

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has directed all state institutions to standardize and harmonize their biometric identification and verification systems within six months, aiming to eliminate duplication and enhance national security. 

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has issued a directive for all state institutions to standardize and harmonize their biometric identification and verification systems within the next six months. This move aims to streamline operations, reduce costs, and strengthen national identification mechanisms.

A recent moratorium issued by the secretary to the president, Dr. Callistus Mahama, mandates that all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as decentralized bodies, state corporations, and regulatory agencies, must cease procuring and deploying independent Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS). This directive halts the operation of parallel biometric databases that are not integrated with the National Identification Authority (NIA).

Per the presidential directive, all biometric verification must be based on one central repository overseen by the NIA, which manages the country’s population registry. The NIA’s system is designed to verify the identities of individuals who conduct business requiring identification using the Ghana Card. This initiative aligns with the government’s objectives to eliminate duplication of systems across government entities, reduce costs associated with maintaining multiple biometric databases, and strengthen national identification and verification mechanisms.

To ensure compliance, all MDAs currently operating independent biometric AFIS must integrate with the National Identification System of the NIA within six months from the date of the directive. The NIA will provide the necessary technical support to facilitate data harmonization and integration into the National Identity Register and the Identity Verification System Platform of the NIA. The Minister for Interior will oversee the implementation of this moratorium and take necessary enforcement actions where required.

President Mahama has warned that any state entity requiring a specialized biometric system due to unique operational needs must submit a justification to the Office of the President and obtain written approval from the Presidency. Any non-compliant procurement will be deemed illegal and a blatant disregard of the directive.

The president’s moratorium also emphasizes the importance of avoiding the verification of identities through ocular inspection of the Ghana Card without biometric verification and authentication. The NIA has previously warned against this practice to ensure robust and secure identification processes.

Ghana’s neighbor, Nigeria, has also been discussing the harmonization of biometric databases to facilitate biometric verification across MDAs and enhance data interoperability. This regional trend underscores the growing importance of unified and secure biometric systems in enhancing national security and efficiency. 

Q: What is the main goal of Ghana's biometric verification system harmonization?

A: The main goal is to standardize and harmonize biometric identification and verification systems across all state entities to eliminate duplication, reduce costs, and strengthen national identification mechanisms.

Q: What is the role of the National Identification Authority (NIA) in this initiative?

A: The NIA oversees the central biometric verification repository and provides technical support to state entities to facilitate data harmonization and integration into the National Identity Register and the Identity Verification System Platform.

Q: What actions will be taken against non-compliant state entities?

A: Non-compliant procurements will be deemed illegal, and the Minister for Interior will take necessary enforcement actions as required.

Q: How long do state entities have to comply with the directive?

A: State entities have six months from the date of the directive to integrate their biometric systems with the NIA's central repository.

Q: What is the significance of avoiding ocular inspection of the Ghana Card without biometric verification?

A: Avoiding ocular inspection ensures robust and secure identification processes, as biometric verification provides a higher level of accuracy and security. 

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