Ghanaians have been urged to stop institutions from photocopying their Ghana Cards for transactions. Instead, citizens should insist on verification methods prescribed by the National Identification Authority (NIA).

This call to action aims to enhance the security of personal data and ensure the integrity of the national identification system as Ghana advances towards a robust digital economy.

Caution on identity theft

This caution was issued by Moses K Baiden, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Margins ID Group, during a visit to the company by the Ministry of Communication and its agencies.

The visit allowed the Ministry and its agencies to observe the intricate processes involved in producing the Ghana Card and to understand the various purposes the secure database can serve.

Participating agencies included Ghana Digital Centres, Cyber Security Authority, Data Protection Commission, Ghana Domain Names Registry, Ghana Post, National Communication Authority, National Information Technology Agency, Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, and the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission.

Impact of photocopying on data security

Mr Baiden highlighted that improper use of the Ghana Card, such as photocopying or sharing digital copies, can enable criminals to use others' identities to commit fraud and other crimes.

"Any reproduction of the Ghana Card exposes the card owner to identity theft," he noted, emphasizing the importance of adhering to NIA guidelines to protect citizens' identities.

He explained that the NIA system requires individuals to present themselves and provide fingerprint verification, which generates an audit code linked to the transaction. This method ensures a high level of security and authenticity in identity verification.

Challenges and solutions

Mr. Baiden also pointed out that the primary challenge in Ghana's data protection and identification efforts is not related to data collection or technology but rather to attitudinal and enforcement issues.

He urged institutions to fully familiarize themselves with the NIA system to make informed decisions and adopt best practices.

He noted that the system provides a unique identity because the base of fraud is to duplicate an identity. According to him, in order to commit a crime, the criminal has to wear a mask digitally or physically to harm public and private resources.

Therefore, he said the government prioritised ID as the first step in building a clean society.

Legal framework and technological integration

Mr. Baiden said the legal process determines how secure an ID is because the technology must always follow the law.

In an era where the world is swiftly transitioning towards digitization, data is essential for driving the digital economy.

Mr. Baiden described data as the new gold to drive the digital economy Ghana is building.

He stressed that a secure biometric database is crucial for the success of any digital economy.

He emphasized that the effective digitization of services can significantly reduce the stress citizens endure, lower transaction costs, and enhance the government's ability to deliver services more efficiently.

Engagement and education

During the visit, Mr. Baiden demonstrated how the secure biometric database supports not only the identity verification process but also a myriad of applications crucial for the digital transformation of the country.

He highlighted the necessity of accuracy and security in data management, pointing out that digitising services is a game-changer, offering numerous benefits such as reduced costs and improved service delivery.

The officials from the participating agencies asked questions about the process, which were answered by the top management of the company.