Ensure the Ghana Card serves as an ATM card – ACDT urges NIA, BoG

The Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) has called on the National Identification Authority (NIA), the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and financial institutions to ensure that the Ghana Card can function as an ATM card, enhancing financial inclusion and convenience.

In a press statement, ACDT commended the NIA for its progress in digital identity and urged stakeholders to accelerate the integration of the Ghana Card into financial transactions.

“The integration of the Ghana Card into banking and financial transactions, initiated by the previous government, will enhance financial inclusion, security, and convenience for millions of Ghanaians,” the statement read.

To achieve this, ACDT outlined several key measures, including linking all bank accounts to the Ghana Card through a secure national database. This would enable customers to withdraw cash, transfer funds, and make payments using their Ghana Card at ATMs and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

For security, ACDT proposed incorporating biometric authentication and PIN verification into ATM and POS systems, allowing users to verify transactions with either fingerprints or a unique PIN linked to their Ghana Card.

The organisation also urged banks to upgrade their ATM infrastructure to support the Ghana Card’s embedded chip and encouraged retailers to adopt compatible POS systems. Additionally, it called for clear legal and security guidelines from the BoG and financial regulators to protect users from fraud and cyber threats.

Public education was highlighted as a crucial step, with ACDT advocating a nationwide campaign to guide Ghanaians on linking their Ghana Card to their bank accounts and using it securely for transactions.

“We urge the NIA, Bank of Ghana, and all major financial institutions to expedite actions that will ensure the Ghana Card serves as an ATM card, empowering millions of Ghanaians with seamless and secure financial access,” the statement concluded.