Utilize Ghana card identification to avert fraud-NIA charges financial institutions

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has urged financial institutions to prioritize user verification using the Ghana Card for all transactions in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the NIA, Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah made the call on September 18 which marks National Identity Day, aimed at raising awareness about the significance of legal identity, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 16.9.

He said implementing this measure will play a pivotal role in curbing the rising incidents of fraud within the sector.

“We have unbounded all the 25 universal banks and 125 rural banks, all the telcos. All these institutions are properly positioned to verify identification, verification is the confirmation that the right thing has been done.

“That is why the banks must verify. The banks failed to verify the identities, simply make a photocopy of the person’s ID Card, they lost 162 million through fraud, that wouldn’t have happened if the banks verified,” Mr. Attafuah stated.

NIA began Phase II of registration of Ghana Cards for new applicants on September 4 which recorded a huge number of applicants.

This follows the NIA’s truncation of the first phase of the registration, which was purposely for public sector workers on the government payroll.

The NIA blamed the truncation of the first phase of the registration on low turnout by the public sector workers.

The free registration service is taking place at NIA’s 276 District Offices across the country.

The service is also available at NIA Regional Offices in Accra, Bolgatanga, Cape Coast, Dambai, Damongo, Goaso, Nalerigu and Wa.

“Thus, Phase II of the registration exercise will begin on Monday, 4th September 2023. This is to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public resources and to ensure that other members of the public can access NIA’s services,” a statement from the authority indicated.