NIA develops mobile app to extend Ghana Card biometric verification to individuals, small businesses

The National Identification Authority (NIA) in Ghana is set to launch a mobile application that will expand access to biometric verification services using the Ghana Card system. This move aims to cater to individuals and small businesses who struggle with the certification and administrative hurdles typically required to access the main verification platform.

The initiative comes as a response to the new National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, which have banned the photocopying, scanning, and visual inspection of Ghana Cards as valid identification methods. During a press briefing in Accra on November 2nd, 2026, NIA's Director of Corporate Affairs, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, revealed that the mobile app would offer a simple "yes or no" confirmation regarding the match between a person's biometric data and the information provided.

Currently, only certified institutions, who must first obtain approval from the Data Protection Commission, can use the main verification platform. However, the newly developed app will provide those without certification with a straightforward means to verify their identity, delivering an immediate "yes" or "no" response. While institutional costs for verification vary, some institutions have reported paying as low as 10 pesewas, emphasizing that the expense is minimal and contingent on each institution's specific operations.

Darlas assured the public that stringent measures would be implemented to safeguard personal data and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information through the mobile application.