President John Dramani Mahama has issued a new presidential directive prohibiting all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, or District Assemblies (MMDAs) from procuring independent biometric systems, operating parallel databases to the NIA, or verifying identities without biometric checks of the Ghana Card.
The directive was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, dated October 24.
It explained that the moratorium is in line with the Government’s commitment to ensuring efficient resource utilization, data security, and standardization of biometric identification systems.
The letter stated that “Effective immediately, all MDAs are prohibited from:
a. Procuring, developing, or deploying independent biometric AFIS.
b. Operating parallel biometric databases to the NIA.
c. Verifying the identities of persons they transact business with using ocular inspection of the Ghana Card without any biometric verification and authentication.
d. Entering into new contracts for the procurement of biometric systems without express authorization.”
The letter read “This moratorium is issued pursuant to: The National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707), the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750) as amended and the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111) granting the National Identification Authority (NIA) the exclusive mandate over registration and issuance of national identity cards commonly known as Ghana Cards to Ghanaian citizens living in Ghana and abroad as legally-resident foreign nationals…” Mr. Mahama further wrote.
The letter added, “Any MDA or MMDA requiring a specialized biometric system due to its unique operational needs must submit a justification to the Office of the President and obtain written approval from the Presidency.”
“Any non-compliant procurement shall be deemed illegal and a blatant disregard of this directive,” he warned.
The Secretary to the President directed that, “MDAs currently operating independent biometric AFIS must take steps to integrate with the National Identification System of the NIA no later than six (6) months from the date of this directive.”
Source: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
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