The National Identification Authority (NIA) has issued a public advisory emphasizing the importance of biometric verification in identity authentication processes.

The move aligns with efforts to enhance security, prevent fraud, and ensure the integrity of identity verification in compliance with the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111).

According to the NIA, some institutions still rely on non-biometric methods such as lookup lists and visual inspections of the Ghana Card, which pose significant risks.

These methods, the Authority noted, fail to guarantee the accuracy of individual identities recorded in the National Identity Register (NIR).

The NIA highlighted several benefits of biometric verification, including its ability to prevent identity theft, eliminate reliance on forged physical documents, and enable real-time cross-checking of identity records stored in the NIR. Additionally, it supports both national and international security standards.

Conversely, non-biometric verification methods were identified as potentially risky, with institutions unknowingly exposing themselves to identity fraud.

Lookup lists, for instance, may fail to reflect updates like lost or stolen Ghana Cards, while visual inspections cannot detect tampered documents.

To address these challenges, the NIA has introduced a robust Identity Verification System Platform (IVSP) for institutions.

The platform enables secure and accurate biometric verification processes, with all output data timestamped, accurate, and auditable.

The NIA urged institutions mandated by law to integrate biometric authentication into their operations and pledged technical support for compliance.

The Authority also noted that request forms for verification services are available on its website, www.nia.gov.gh.

This initiative reinforces the NIA’s commitment to safeguarding identity verification processes and preventing fraud in Ghana.

Story By: Robicon Mornahson