The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana aims to upgrade the Ghana Card to support multiple functions like mobile payments, banking services, and identity verification. Acting CEO Yayra Koku outlined plans to enhance service delivery and financial inclusion while stressing the importance of biometric verification to combat identity theft. With over 17 million cards issued, efforts are underway to include children, improving overall access to essential services.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana plans to enhance the Ghana Card’s functionalities to promote financial inclusion and streamline government services. The acting CEO, Yayra Koku, mentioned initiatives to connect the card with mobile money services and bank accounts, aligning with the card’s initial design.
Koku envisions multiple uses for the Ghana Card, such as facilitating payments without needing vendor contact details, serving as a driver’s license, and allowing passport applications from home with easy collection. He highlights the potential for seamless integration with toll booth apps for automatic payments.
The NIA aims to simplify the card replacement process, stating that individuals could obtain a new card instantly by providing a fingerprint at designated booths, avoiding lengthy wait times. Koku affirmed this futuristic goal necessitates collaboration with partners to enhance service convenience for Ghanaians.
Additionally, Koku noted that the original design of the Ghana Card included capabilities for mobile banking and payments, which will be activated soon. This upgrade would support both debit and prepaid functionalities, improving transaction ease and access.
The NIA emphasizes that biometric verification is critical when using the Ghana Card due to rising identity theft concerns. In a recent advisory, they cautioned against non-biometric verification methods, which do not ensure identity accuracy against the National Identity Register.
To safeguard identity verification integrity, the NIA insists that institutions adopt biometric authentication. Their Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP) will facilitate biometric checks against the National Identity Register, enhancing accuracy and public confidence in the verification process. The IVSP provides secure, time-stamped data outputs to authorized institutions.
Currently, over 17 million Ghanaians possess the Ghana Card, with efforts ongoing to issue the cards to minors, further expanding the program’s reach.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana is on a path to transform the Ghana Card into a multifunctional tool that simplifies access to various services and promotes financial inclusion. With an emphasis on biometric verification to prevent identity fraud, the NIA aims to enhance security and reliability in identity confirmation. Their plans include making card usage versatile for payments, driving licenses, and more, thereby streamlining processes for citizens. The proactive expansion of the Ghana Card’s capabilities, combined with a robust verification system, represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology for better governance in Ghana.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
