The Office of the President has announced an immediate moratorium on the procurement and use of independent Biometric Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
Driving the news
The directive, dated October 24, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, mandates that all biometric identification systems be standardized under the National Identification Authority (NIA).
The move is aimed at strengthening Ghana’s national ID framework, improving data security, and cutting costs linked to running multiple biometric databases across government institutions.
The big picture:
The government said the policy seeks to eliminate duplication, enhance data interoperability, and ensure that all biometric data processing aligns with existing national laws.
It cited the following legal bases:
- National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707) and National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750) — granting the NIA sole authority over national identity registration.
- Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) — mandating data integrity and privacy safeguards.
- A 2014 presidential moratorium on independent AFIS procurement, which the new directive now reinforces.
What’s prohibited:
Effective immediately, all MDAs and MMDAs are barred from:
- Procuring, developing, or deploying any new independent biometric AFIS.
- Maintaining parallel biometric databases outside the NIA’s system.
- Verifying Ghana Card identities through visual inspection alone — verification must use NIA’s biometric authentication.
- Entering new contracts for biometric systems without explicit presidential approval.
The timeline:
Agencies currently operating independent biometric systems have six months to integrate their databases with the NIA’s National Identification System. The NIA will provide technical support to ensure a smooth transition.
Between the lines:
The directive reflects Ghana’s push toward a unified digital identity ecosystem centered on the Ghana Card, which government officials say will improve public service delivery and transparency.
What’s next:
Any unauthorized biometric system procurement going forward, the statement warned, “shall be deemed illegal and a blatant disregard of this directive.”
Source: My Joy Online
