Ghana has introduced a new biometric identity card, the Ghana Card, which will also function as a digital wallet for payments, according to official announcements. The card, issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA), is designed to streamline financial transactions and enhance financial inclusion across the country.
The Ghana Card incorporates a chip that can store biometric data and enable contactless payments. Citizens can link the card to their bank accounts or mobile money wallets, allowing them to make purchases at point-of-sale terminals and access government services. The initiative is part of Ghana's broader digital transformation agenda.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has championed the project, stating that the card will reduce the need for multiple identification documents and simplify access to financial services. The government plans to issue the card to all citizens and residents, with a target of covering the majority of the population by the end of 2026.
Experts note that the card could significantly reduce the unbanked population, which currently stands at about 40% of adults in Ghana. However, concerns about data privacy and the security of biometric information have been raised, with the NIA assuring that the system complies with international standards.
