Accra:Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah emphasized the need for Ghana to develop a trusted digital identity ecosystem, moving beyond the issuance of physical identity cards to drive socioeconomic development.
According to Ghana Web, Professor Attafuah made these statements during the keynote address at the first Information Systems Academics and Practitioners' (ISAP) Forum, organized by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). The event gathered policymakers, academics, industry practitioners, and other stakeholders to discuss the role of public-sector identification systems in Ghana’s development.
As a former Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Professor Attafuah highlighted the progress made in Ghana's national identification infrastructure. He noted that as of August 17, 2026, the NIA had enrolled over 20 million Ghanaians and issued more than 19 million identity cards. However, he stressed that the core asset is the trusted identity behind the card, which should be leveraged to enhance service delivery, prevent fraud, and improve accountability.
Professor Attafuah advocated for a focus on secure biometric verification, interoperability, data protection, and cybersecurity. He emphasized that institutions such as the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and electoral authorities should maintain their statutory mandates and databases while integrating with the national identification system.
The forum underscored the importance of a secure, inclusive, and interoperable identification ecosystem in supporting Ghana's digital transformation. Professor Attafuah urged a shift towards real-time biometric authentication rather than traditional physical inspection methods. He concluded by stating that the national identification system should ultimately be measured by its ability to reduce fraud, enhance public services, and lower administrative costs, stressing that the Ghana Card's value lies in the trusted identity it supports.