ACCRA, Oct 28 (The African Portal) – Ghana’s presidency has ordered an immediate suspension of the procurement and use of independent biometric identification systems across all government ministries, departments, agencies, and local assemblies, as part of efforts to streamline identity management and improve data security.
The directive, dated Oct. 24 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, mandates all state entities to standardise biometric identification under the National Identification Authority (NIA).
According to the statement, the move aims to “strengthen national identification mechanisms, ensure data security, and achieve greater efficiency in resource utilisation.”
The presidency said the measure seeks to eliminate duplication, enhance data interoperability and reduce the high costs of maintaining multiple biometric databases. It cited the National Identification Authority Act (2006), the National Identity Register Act (2008), and the Data Protection Act (2012) as the legal basis for the order.
Under the moratorium, ministries and state agencies are barred from procuring or deploying any new independent biometric systems, operating parallel biometric databases, or verifying identities by visual inspection of the Ghana Card without using the NIA’s biometric verification system.
Agencies are also prohibited from entering new biometric technology contracts without written approval from the presidency. Existing systems must be integrated with the NIA’s National Identification System within six months.
The NIA has been directed to provide technical support for the integration process, while the Minister for the Interior will oversee enforcement.
The directive warns that any non-compliant procurement “shall be deemed illegal and a blatant disregard of this directive.” Agencies with special operational needs must seek prior approval from the Office of the President.
