The National Identification Authority (NIA) has issued a strong advisory to the public, urging Ghanaians to resist any attempt by banks and institutions to physically collect or photocopy their Ghana Cards before providing services.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, June 18, William Amponsah, Head of Corporate Affairs at the NIA, emphasized that the unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the Ghana Card is sufficient for identity verification.
He cited a directive from the Bank of Ghana (BoG), which instructs financial institutions to discontinue the practice of photocopying Ghana Cards, describing it as unnecessary and a potential breach of data protection protocols.
“If you visit any institution or transact business and they demand your physical Ghana Card, kindly resist that attempt,” Mr. Amponsah stated.
“All they need is the code on the Ghana Card. Once you have that on your paper or mention the numbers on the card to them, that should be enough.”
Despite the BoG’s directive, Mr. Amponsah noted that some banks persist in the practice, largely due to customers’ willingness to comply.
He urged the public to be vigilant and assert their rights, stressing that biometric verification systems linked to the NIA database are the appropriate method for authenticating identities.
The NIA’s warning aligns with broader efforts to strengthen data protection and eliminate fraud in financial transactions.
Citizens are encouraged to cooperate with institutions in ways that uphold national security standards and safeguard personal information.
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