Gov’t imposes moratorium on independent biometric systems for MDAs

The government has placed an immediate moratorium on the procurement and operation of independent biometric Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) across Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

In a directive issued by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, and dated Friday, October 24, the Presidency said the move is to ensure standardisation, strengthen data security, and eliminate wasteful duplication of resources in the deployment of biometric systems in the public sector.

Under the directive, no government institution — including state-owned enterprises and regulators — may:

• procure or develop standalone biometric AFIS,
• maintain parallel biometric databases,
• verify identities using only visual checks of the Ghana Card, or
• enter into new AFIS contracts without presidential approval.

Public institutions currently using independent biometric platforms have six months to integrate their systems into the National Identification System managed by the National Identification Authority (NIA). The NIA will provide technical assistance to ensure smooth harmonisation.

According to the directive, a single national biometric verification system will improve interoperability across government systems, eliminate duplication, cut costs, and improve the protection of personal data.

The Minister for the Interior has been tasked with ensuring compliance, with any unauthorised biometric procurement to be treated as illegal.

The moratorium will remain in force until further notice as the government pushes toward a unified and efficient national digital identity infrastructure.