Accra: The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a warning to banks, emphasizing that the practice of photocopying Ghana Cards for banking transactions is unacceptable and that biometric verification should be the standard for identity authentication. BoG's directive aligns with the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), highlighting the risks associated with outdated verification methods such as lookup lists and visual inspections.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ashitei Trebi-Ollennu, the Deputy Head of Office under the Financial Integrity Office of BoG, stressed, "We have never said that banks should photocopy Ghana Cards. Photocopying leaves room for fraud and compromises the integrity of transactions." He urged banks to authenticate identities through the biometric verification system linked to the National Identification database, ensuring a secure and reliable financial ecosystem.
This directive was reinforced during a stakeholder engagement in Accra, organized by Identity Management Systems II (IMS II) Ltd. in collaboration with the National Identification Authority (NIA). The event, themed 'Protect Every Transaction with Biometric Verification,' brought together the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Association of Banks, the National Identification Authority, and representatives from the 25 universal banks in Ghana to discuss the critical role of identity verification in securing financial transactions.
Real-time biometric verification is highlighted as a preventive measure against identity theft and impersonation, eliminating reliance on easily forged physical documents, ensuring real-time authentication with National Identity Register (NIR) records, and aligning with national and international security standards.
Executive Director of IMS II Ltd, James Cantamantu-Koomson, noted the fundamental shift in identity management, stating, "The way we do things is changing. Identity is at the centre and the engine of our financial system. The database that the National Identification Authority has gathered is one of the most powerful assets we have as a country." His remarks underscored the transition from traditional manual processes to a multi-modal biometric verification approach that eliminates security vulnerabilities.
The engagement facilitated a constructive dialogue between the Bank of Ghana, the Association of Banks, the National Identification Authority, and representatives of all universal banks. Banks provided valuable feedback on enhancing information exchange to streamline verification processes and improve efficiency.
The National Identification Authority re-emphasized its legal mandate, with the Head of the Legal Directorate, Teresa Eson-Benjamin, stressing the law that establishes the Ghana Card as the sole form of identification for banking transactions. This clarification was crucial in ensuring that all financial institutions fully align with the legal framework governing identity verification in Ghana.
The discussions underscored the importance of biometric verification as the most secure form of authentication, eliminating fraudulent activities associated with photocopied Ghana Cards. The event called on financial institutions to fully transition to biometric-based verification, ensuring that Ghana's financial sector remains robust, fraud-proof, and aligned with international best practices.
The engagement was attended by key figures such as Mr. John Awuah, CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), Audrey Mireku (Banking Operations, Risk and Cybersecurity), Mr. Ashitei Trebi-Ollennu (Deputy Head of Office under the Financial Integrity Office of BoG), and Ms. Naa Welbeck (Head of Supervision Unit under the Financial Integrity Office of the Bank of Ghana). Legal, technology, and biometric experts from the NIA, along with executives from all 25 universal banks in Ghana, were also present.
By the end of the engagement, there was a clear consensus: 'Trust but verify' must be the guiding principle in Ghana's financial sector. The commitment to biometric authentication will not only protect transactions but also reinforce Ghana's position as a leader in secure digital identity verification.
