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The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a firm directive against photocopying Ghana Cards for banking transactions, emphasizing that biometric verification must be the standard for identity authentication.

BoG made it clear that photocopying Ghana Cards for customer verification is not an acceptable practice.
The directive, which aligns with the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), underscores the growing risks associated with outdated verification methods such as lookup lists and visual inspections.

BoG’s stance against photocopying Ghana Cards

Deputy Head of Office under the Financial Integrity Office of BoG, Mr. Ashitei Trebi-Ollennu emphasized, “We have never said that banks should photocopy Ghana Cards. Photocopying leaves room for fraud and compromises the integrity of transactions.” Instead, he said banks must authenticate identities directly through the biometric verification system linked to the National Identification database, ensuring a secure and reliable financial ecosystem.
This position was reinforced during a stakeholder engagement in Accra, organized by Identity Management Systems II (IMS II) Ltd. in collaboration with the National Identification Authority (NIA).

The event, themed “Protect Every Transaction with Biometric Verification,” brought together the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Association of Banks, the National Identification Authority, and representatives from the 25 universal banks in Ghana to discuss the critical role of identity verification in securing financial transactions.

Real-time biometric verification benefits

Real-time biometric verification prevents identity theft and impersonation, eliminates reliance on easily forged physical documents, ensures real-time authentication with National Identity Register (NIR) records, and aligns with national and international security standards.

The shift towards biometric identity management

Executive Director of IMS II Ltd, James Cantamantu-Koomson, highlighted the fundamental shift in identity management, stating, “The way we do things is changing. Identity is at the centre and the engine of our financial system. The database that the National Identification Authority has gathered is one of the most powerful assets we have as a country.”
His remarks underscored the need to transition from traditional manual processes to a multi-modal biometric verification approach that eliminates security vulnerabilities.

Enhancing collaboration between financial institutions

The engagement fostered a productive dialogue between the Bank of Ghana, the Association of Banks, the National Identification Authority, and representatives of all universal banks.

Banks provided valuable feedback on how the exchange of information could be enhanced to streamline verification processes and improve efficiency.

The National Identification Authority also re-emphasized its legal mandate, with the Head of the Legal Directorate, Teresa Eson-Benjamin, emphasizing the law that establishes the Ghana Card as the sole form of identification for banking transactions.

This clarification was crucial in ensuring that all financial institutions fully align with the legal framework governing identity verification in Ghana.

The importance of biometric verification

The discussions highlighted the importance of biometric verification as the most secure form of authentication, eliminating fraudulent activities associated with photocopied Ghana Cards. The event called for financial institutions to fully transition to biometric-based verification, ensuring that Ghana’s financial sector remains robust, fraud-proof, and aligned with international best practices. Key figures in attendance

The engagement was attended by key figures such as Mr. John Awuah, CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), Audrey Mireku (Banking Operations, Risk & Cybersecurity), Mr. Ashitei Trebi-Ollennu (Deputy Head of Office under the Financial Integrity Office of BOG), and Ms. Naa Welbeck (Head of Supervision Unit under the Financial Integrity Office of the Bank of Ghana).
Also present were legal, technology, and biometric experts from the NIA, along with executives from all 25 universal banks in Ghana.

Strengthening trust through biometric authentication

By the end of the engagement, there was a clear consensus: “Trust but verify” must be the guiding principle in Ghana’s financial sector.

The commitment to biometric authentication will not only protect transactions but also reinforce Ghana’s position as a leader in secure digital identity verification.

President John Dramani Mahama has been petitioned to grant a presidential pardon for William Ato Essien, an entrepreneur and founder of First Capital Plus, which later evolved into Capital Bank.

Essien was sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra High Court following charges of stealing over GH¢90 million of liquidity support provided by the Bank of Ghana to Capital Bank.

He was initially given the opportunity to avoid a custodial sentence by agreeing to pay back the GH¢90 million as restitution to the state but he failed to meet the payment terms agreed upon with the Attorney General and the court.

Essien paid GH¢30 million upfront in December 2022 but was unable to pay the remaining GH¢60 million in the agreed installments. His failure to fulfill the payment terms led the court to impose a custodial sentence.

But the petition submitted by Andrew Appiah-Danquah, a lawyer, and dated Thursday February 27, addressed raised serious concerns about the fairness and integrity of Essien’s conviction and imprisonment.

The petition highlighted Essien’s significant contributions to Ghana’s financial sector as being the founder of Capital Bank, his leadership and innovation provided thousands of jobs, supported local businesses, and empowered Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

The petition argued that his conviction undermined the achievements of a visionary entrepreneur who proved that local enterprises could thrive in a competitive financial sector.

Other facts of the petition were that “Capital Bank’s collapse in 2017 was not due to fraud but a politically orchestrated move to consolidate financial power. Mr. Essien refused to bow to political pressure to cede control of his bank to powerful interests, which ultimately led to its targeted demise. The GH₵ 620 Million Liquidity Support Was a Commercial Loan, Not a Fraud…Capital Bank was repaying this loan and had already paid GH₵ 336 million in interest over two years—clear evidence that it was a legitimate banking transaction.

“The GH₵ 480 million described as a “shareholder loan” was not stolen but rather a strategic restructuring of non-performing loans accumulated over 14 years. Such restructuring is a common financial practice aimed at strengthening a bank’s financial position and was not an act of fraud. The Court’s Acquittal of Others Contradicts Ato Essien’s Conviction

“Three other accused persons—Dr. Tetteh Nettey, Rev. Fitzgerald Odonkor,and Kate Quartey-Papafio—were acquitted on the same charges for which Mr. Essien was convicted. The court held that: The GH₵ 70 million transaction involving Kate Quartey-Papafio was fully accounted for. The GH₵ 130 million transaction involving Dr. Tetteh Nettey was fully accounted for. The GH₵ 27.5 million transaction involving Rev. Fitzgerald Odonkor was legal and authorised.

It further stated that when the court determined that the payments forming the basis of the charges were lawful, the state had an obligation to review Mr. Essien’s conviction and ensure justice was served.

“To avoid a prolonged trial, Mr. Essien was pressured into a plea bargain, agreeing to pay GH₵ 90 million—an amount significantly higher than the alleged loss which he has already paid GH₵ 43.75 million.

It therefore urged the president to grant a Presidential Pardon to Mr. William Ato Essien.

“Granting a Presidential Pardon to Ato Essien will not only restore justice but will also affirm your commitment to a truly new Ghana—one where freedom and justice are not just words, but lived realities,” the petition added.

Former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, has reiterated claims that the termination of appointments of nurses and health workers by the Mahama administration halted the operationalization of already commissioned Agenda 111 hospitals.

Dr Nsiah Asare said the directive by the Chief of Staff affected the smooth take-off of the completed hospital.

Speaking to Citi News following President Mahama’s assertion that none of the agenda 111 hospitals are in operation, Dr. Nsiah Asare said nurses and health workers were ready to run the facilities.

“We started employing 15,200 nurses, and remember the financial clearance was given in July. Public health services recruitment is a process, it is not an event.

“So, if somebody comes to write a letter that anybody recruited or who started work or whose name is not on the payroll, they should go home, you have revoked, then who will go and work there.”

Similarly, former Deputy Minister of Health and Akim-Oda MP, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, had blamed the delay in operationalizing some completed Agenda 111 hospitals on the termination of appointments for health practitioners recruited under the Akufo-Addo administration.

He said though three health facilities have been completed and fully equipped, they remain non-functional due to a shortage of medical personnel.

Speaking to Citi News after President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, Acquah said “They are not operational because we have to put staff there, and the practitioners we have recruited are the same people they are sacking.

“So, if you are terminating the appointment, GHS will not have the ability to post people to these facilities, but otherwise, we have mentioned that three facilities have been fully completed. We have done the tooling, and it is ready to be operated. We have the Trede in Atwima Kwanwoma, we have the Kokoben in Oforikrom, and then we have the Bokro in Ahanta West.”

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Iddie Adams has commended the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) for its outstanding leadership and consistent achievements.

The minister made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the GAF leadership, led by President Charles Osei Asibey, to congratulate him and welcome him to his new role.

Adams praised the GAF for showcasing exceptional leadership, which he credited for driving the sport’s growth and delivering impressive results. strong collaboration with stakeholders.

The Minister expressed amazement at the rapid rise of armwrestling in Ghana since 2016, particularly noting the increasing prominence of Ghanaian athletes on continental and global stages.

“I am truly impressed by the progress made by the GAF. The speed at which this sport has grown, especially in terms of Ghanaian representation across Africa and the world, is remarkable,” he stated.

Adams also underscored the recreational value of competitive sports and urged the GAF to align with the ministry’s recreational agenda.

This partnership, he noted, could further enhance the sport’s development and reach within Ghana.

Looking ahead, the minister pledged his ministry’s full support to ensure the GAF continues to excel internationally, especially as Ghana prepares to host the 2027 African Games.

He emphasized that with adequate resources, armwrestling has the potential to become a dominant force for Ghana in global sports.

The discussion also covered critical issues such as athlete welfare, talent identification, and coaching development.

The GAF raised concerns about the need for improved opportunities for athletes, including employment in the security services.

Acknowledging these points, Adams stressed the importance of a structured approach to supporting high-performing sports.

“The Ministry is working on classifying sports federations to prioritize resources for those delivering medals and international recognition. Armwrestling has proven its worth and deserves every bit of support,” he assured. Additionally, the federation extended an invitation to the minister to attend the upcoming Independence Armwrestling Championship, an event celebrating the sport’s success and its growing role in Ghana’s sports landscape.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to collaborate closely, ensuring that Armwrestling continues to flourish and elevates Ghana’s standing on the global stage.

Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has clarified the funding of the Hajj Village, stating that the facility is being constructed by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) without any taxpayer contributions.

In a statement shared on X, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu reiterated the government’s stance on the project, dispelling rumours that public funds were being used for its construction.

His clarification comes amid growing interest and debate about the purpose and financial sources of the project. President John Dramani Mahama officially cut sod for the construction of the new Hajj Village on Friday, February 28.

The facility is designed to support Ghanaian Muslims embarking on the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.

As part of this year’s Hajj arrangements, President Mahama has also announced plans to airlift 5,000 Ghanaian pilgrims.

The construction of the Hajj Village aims to enhance efficiency and organization, providing a smoother departure experience for pilgrims.

President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, March 2, worshipped with the clergy in the Ashanti Region. The event, held in Kumasi, was part of the President’s continued efforts to connect with religious leaders and express gratitude for the government’s electoral victories.

The clergy prayed for President Mahama and his administration, seeking divine guidance and blessings for the execution of their mandate. This gathering follows a similar event held in Accra, where the President also met with religious leaders to foster unity and spiritual support. The event was attended by several government officials and clergymen from various denominations, underscoring the significance of faith and collaboration in the nation’s development.