By Eugene Nyarko Jnr. | Accra | October 25, 2025
The Office of the President has announced an immediate moratorium on the procurement, development, and use of independent biometric Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) by all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The directive, signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, and dated Friday, October 24, is aimed at ensuring efficient resource use, enhanced data security, and standardisation of biometric identification systems across public institutions.
According to the statement, all government entities — including state corporations and regulatory agencies — are prohibited from procuring or deploying separate AFIS platforms, operating parallel biometric databases, or verifying identities through mere visual inspection of the Ghana Card. Additionally, no new biometric system contracts may be entered into without presidential approval.
As part of the transition, all MDAs currently running independent biometric systems have been given six months to integrate with the National Identification System (NIS) managed by the National Identification Authority (NIA). The NIA is expected to provide technical assistance to facilitate the harmonisation and interoperability of existing systems.
The statement explained that the National Identification System was designed to serve as the central biometric verification platform for the country, helping to prevent duplication, improve interoperability among agencies, strengthen data security, and reduce the costs associated with maintaining multiple biometric databases.
Oversight for the implementation and enforcement of the moratorium has been assigned to the Minister for the Interior, who will ensure compliance. Any unauthorized procurement or development of biometric systems will be deemed illegal, the directive warned.
The moratorium will remain in effect until further notice, underscoring the government’s commitment to building a unified, secure, and efficient national identification framework.
