The Office of the President has announced a comprehensive ban 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).
The directive, issued on October 24, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, takes immediate effect. It mandates that all state institutions align their biometric operations with the National Identification Authority (NIA) to ensure a unified and secure national biometric framework.
Purpose of the Directive
According to the Presidency, the measure seeks to strengthen national identification systems, safeguard citizens’ data, and enhance efficiency across government operations. By centralising biometric management under the NIA, the government aims to eliminate duplication, reduce operational costs, and promote data interoperability.
Legal Foundations
The directive draws authority from several key legislations that grant the NIA exclusive responsibility for managing the country’s biometric identity infrastructure. These include:
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The National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707) and National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750)
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The Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), which upholds the security and integrity of personal data
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A previous moratorium issued in June 2014 restricting MDAs from acquiring independent biometric systems
The Presidency emphasised that the NIA’s National Identification System already provides a robust biometric platform capable of serving all government institutions.
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Key Restrictions and Compliance Measures
Under the new directive, MDAs and MMDAs are prohibited from:
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Procuring, developing, or deploying any new standalone biometric AFIS
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Maintaining parallel biometric databases outside the NIA’s system
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Verifying identities through mere visual inspection of the Ghana Card without using the NIA’s biometric authentication tools
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Entering into new contracts for biometric systems without written approval from the Office of the President
Institutions currently operating independent systems have been given six months to integrate their databases with the NIA’s National Identification System. The NIA will provide technical support to facilitate this harmonisation.
The directive warns that any future biometric procurement made without presidential approval will be considered illegal and in breach of national policy. Agencies with special operational requirements must justify their needs and obtain prior written consent from the Presidency.
Oversight and Enforcement
The Minister for the Interior has been designated to supervise the enforcement of the moratorium and ensure compliance across all levels of government. The directive covers every state institution, including national, regional, and district-level agencies, as well as state-owned enterprises and regulatory bodies.
The Office of the President reiterated that the policy is part of broader efforts to streamline identity management, protect public data, and improve governance efficiency through the full utilisation of the NIA’s central biometric system.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem