By Grace Zigah
The National Democratic Congress government has issued a sweeping directive ordering all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), to suspend the development and deployment of new biometric identification systems.
The decision is part of a broader policy shift aimed at consolidating the biometric data infrastructure under the National Identification Authority (NIA) and ensuring efficient use of public funds.
The moratorium, announced in a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, takes immediate effect.
It bars all state institutions from procuring or operating any standalone Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or other biometric databases outside the framework of the National Identification System (NIS) managed by the NIA.
Rationale Behind the Directive
According to the Presidency, the move is intended to protect citizens’ biometric data, eliminate duplication, and promote interoperability across government platforms.
It also reaffirms the NIA’s exclusive legal mandate to register citizens and manage the Ghana Card, which has become the central pillar of the country’s identity management system.
The Ghana Card, introduced in 2017 as part of a national digital transformation agenda, has saved the state an estimated $1.5 billion that would otherwise have been spent by various agencies on separate data collection initiatives.
Yet, despite these cost savings and years of advocacy for integration, several government entities continue to develop parallel biometric systems, undermining efforts toward a unified national database.
NIA’s Role and Legal Framework
Under Legislative Instrument 2111, the NIA is designated as the sole custodian of biometric data within the national identity framework.
The NIA’s system already features an advanced AFIS capable of biometric verification through the Ghana Card, making it unnecessary for other agencies to operate independent platforms.
“This measure aligns with the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), which mandates data integrity and the protection of citizens’ personal information,” the statement from the Presidency emphasized.
By centralizing identity verification through the NIA, government aims to enhance national security, reduce administrative costs, and ensure consistency in public service delivery.
Ban on New Biometric Procurements
Effective immediately, all MDAs and public corporations are prohibited from entering into new contracts or deploying biometric systems without prior approval from the Office of the President.
Institutions are also instructed to refrain from verifying individuals’ identities through mere visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Instead, they must adopt biometric authentication systems directly linked to the NIA’s database.
The directive explicitly warns that any breach—such as continuing to operate or procure unapproved biometric systems—will be considered illegal and a violation of a presidential order.
Deadline for Integration
To streamline existing operations, the government has given a six-month deadline, up to April 24, 2026, for all institutions using independent AFIS platforms to fully integrate with the NIA’s national database.
The NIA has been directed to assist agencies in migrating their biometric data into the National Identity Register and Identity Verification System Platform, ensuring a smooth transition without data loss or service disruption.
Oversight and Compliance
The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muhammed Muntaka Mubarak, has been assigned oversight responsibility for enforcing the new directive. His ministry is expected to monitor implementation, coordinate with affected agencies, and ensure full compliance.
Any institution requiring specialized biometric systems due to operational peculiarities must submit a formal justification to the Office of the President for review and approval before initiating procurement.
Background: Years of Duplication and Data Fragmentation
This directive comes after years of criticism from policy analysts, civil society, and international partners over Ghana’s fragmented biometric systems.
Agencies such as the Electoral Commission, National Health Insurance Authority, and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority have all maintained separate biometric databases, often collecting identical data at great public expense.
Efforts to harmonize these systems began under the Digital Ghana Agenda, which sought to make the Ghana Card the primary identifier for all transactions—ranging from banking and telecommunications to public service delivery.
However, lack of coordination and institutional resistance have slowed progress.
The latest move by the Mahama administration is thus seen as a decisive step toward enforcing a “One Citizen, One Identity” policy that underpins digital governance and financial inclusion.
