Ghana National ID to Evolve into Multipurpose Card for Enhanced Services
Ghana’s National Identification Authority plans to extend the functionalities of the Ghana Card, integrating it with mobile money and banking services. The initiative aims to foster financial inclusion and facilitate access to government services. Emphasis is placed on biometric identity verification to combat theft and improve security. Current efforts include issuing cards to more citizens, including children.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana is broadening the scope of the Ghana Card to enhance financial inclusion and streamline the delivery of government services. Yayra Koku, the acting CEO of NIA, announced the initiative via a social media post, emphasizing the plan to integrate the biometric ID card with mobile money and banking services, embodying the card’s initial design intentions.
Koku envisions a future where the Ghana Card can be utilized as a mobile money and bank account link, enabling payments without needing to know vendor details. He highlighted innovative uses including the Ghana Card serving as a driver’s license, and simplifying passport applications by allowing citizens to apply from home.
Furthermore, Koku suggested that the Ghana Card could be tied to toll booth applications for straightforward payments. He stressed that users could easily obtain replacement cards through a simple process, bypassing long wait times at NIA offices, by leveraging fingerprint authentication instead.
Koku reiterated that the idea of linking the Ghana Card with mobile services is not entirely new, noting that these functionalities were part of its original design. If activated properly, the card could function as both a debit and prepaid card, facilitating simpler transactions for users.
In a recent advisory, the NIA underscored the importance of biometric verification for identity verification using the Ghana Card, due to the rising issue of identity theft. They cautioned against relying on non-biometric means, which compromise the precision of identity confirmation as per the National Identity Register.
The NIA has urged institutions to adopt biometric verification processes to enhance security and mitigate risks, recommending the established Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP) for accurate verification of individuals with Ghana Cards. This system is designed to augment the reliability and public trust in identity verification and provides a robust auditing capability.
Currently, over 17 million Ghanaians possess the Ghana Card, and efforts are also underway to extend card issuance to children, reinforcing the government’s commitment to expanding the card’s reach and utility for all citizens.
The Ghana National Identification Authority is enhancing the Ghana Card’s functionality to facilitate broader financial inclusion and improve access to government services. By employing biometric verification and linking to mobile and banking systems, the NIA aims to streamline processes and increase convenience for citizens. This initiative highlights the card’s potential and the importance of securing identity verification in combating identity theft.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
