🔥 Trending Ghana Card Photocopying Now Illegal: New Fines and Regulations Explained

New regulations in Ghana, effective as of July 15, 2026, have made significant changes to how the Ghana Card is used for transactions, particularly regarding photocopying and visual inspection ¹²³.

Photocopying Ghana Card Now Illegal

It is now an offense to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for the purpose of conducting transactions ¹²³⁴⁶. This change comes after amendments to the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), which have been gazetted ³⁶⁷. The National Identification Authority (NIA) has stated that this new rule is being enforced ¹.

Mandatory Biometric Verification

Instead of photocopying or visual inspection, biometric verification is now the mandatory method for authenticating Ghana Card holders during transactions ¹⁴⁷. This means that individuals and institutions are required to use biometric systems to verify identities ⁶.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Individuals who photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for transactions now face fines of up to GH¢6,000 ⁵. Institutions that fail to comply with these new regulations risk penalties of up to GH¢24,000 ⁵. This underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the enforcement of these new rules ⁸.

Broader Implications for Financial Transactions

Beyond the photocopying ban, the Ghana Card has also become the sole form of identification for all financial transactions, effective immediately, according to a revised Supervisory Guidance Note issued by the Bank of Ghana ⁹¹⁰. This means that for most banking and financial activities, the Ghana Card is now compulsory ⁹.