Photocopying Ghana Card now a criminal offence – NIA

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has officially declared that photocopying or visually inspecting a Ghana Card for identity verification is now a criminal offence.

Under the newly gazetted amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), all institutions and individuals are now legally required to use biometric verification to confirm a person's identity.

This major policy shift, effective as of July 15, 2026, aims to curb identity fraud and data misuse, with non-compliant institutions facing hefty fines of up to GH¢24,000.

Biometric Verification Now Mandatory

Announcing the development on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NIA, Wisdom Kwaku Deku, stated that the amended law strictly prohibits both individuals and institutions from photocopying or relying on the visual inspection of the Ghana Card for identity verification.

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Instead, all identity checks must be conducted through the NIA's biometric verification system. This transition is designed to provide a more secure and reliable means of confirming a person's identity, effectively closing loopholes that have previously allowed for document forgery and impersonation.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The NIA has issued a stern warning that both organisations and individuals who fail to adhere to these new regulations will face significant legal consequences. Based on the current value of a penalty unit (GH¢12), the potential fines are as follows:

Offender Type Fine Range (in Penalty Units) Equivalent Financial Penalty Institutions: 500 – 2,000 GH¢, 6,000 – 24,000 GH¢ Individuals: 50 – 500GH¢, 600 – 6,000GH¢

These penalties will be applied upon summary conviction, emphasising the government's resolve to enforce these new standards of identity security.

Combating Identity Fraud

This amendment represents a pivotal moment in the government’s broader strategy to modernise Ghana's identity management system. By mandating biometric verification, the NIA aims to:

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• Eliminate Identity Fraud: Reduce the ability of unauthorised persons to use stolen or forged cards.

• Protect Personal Data: Prevent the improper handling and storage of sensitive physical copies of identity documents.

• Strengthen Security: Ensure that every transaction verified by the Ghana Card is authenticated against the national database.

Over the past year, the NIA has repeatedly cautioned institutions against the practice of photocopying Ghana Cards, noting that such actions expose citizens to significant risks of identity theft. With these regulations now in force, biometric verification is the only legally accepted method for verifying the identity of Ghana Card holders during official transactions.