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Ghana is set to unveil a digital version of its national ID, the Ghana Card, alongside the existing physical card, according to Moses K. Baiden, CEO of Margins ID Group.
The electronic ID profile, already embedded in the card, is slated for activation in the upcoming year, providing citizens with a dual ID solution.
Similar to the e-passport functionality, the digital ID will allow users to synchronize their Ghana Card data with a mobile app. Through this app, users can generate a barcode or QR code for digital verification and access a digital copy of the Ghana Card on their phones.
Baiden emphasized the importance of maintaining the physical card despite the introduction of the digital counterpart. He cited the extensive use of mobile phones and the lack of widespread infrastructure for digital ID verification, noting that the nation is not yet ready to fully replace physical cards with digital ones.
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The Ghana Card, despite its role primarily as an identification document, also features a payment application within one of its segments. However, full activation of all segments requires legislation, funding, and a demonstration of functionality by Margins before government funding is allocated.
Margins, a locally held business, has played a significant role in developing Ghana’s ID system, addressing a 50-year-old issue with the issuance of national ID cards and preventing the state from spending over $1.5 billion.
The introduction of the digital Ghana Card aims to enhance convenience, particularly in situations where the physical card is not readily available. Margins has also developed NFC card readers for both offline and online verification, contributing to the effectiveness of Ghana’s ID system.
According to Baiden, the Ghana Card serves as the “master key” for accurate development planning, ensuring that no resident or citizen is left behind. While progress has been made, challenges persist due to human behavior barriers and the continued need for physical presence in certain services and organizations.
