An identity (ID) guru has described data as the new gold to drive the digital economy Ghana is building.

In an era where the world is swiftly transitioning towards digitisation, data is essential for driving the digital economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of Margins ID Systems, Moses K. Baiden, said this during a visit by the Ministry of Communication and its agencies.

The visit provided the Ministry and its agencies an opportunity to observe firsthand the intricate processes involved in the production of the Ghana Card and to understand the various purposes the database can serve.

Participating agencies and observations

The participating agencies were Ghana Digital Centres, Cyber Security Authority, Data Protection Commission, Ghana Domain Names Registry, Ghana Post, National Communication Authority, National Information Technology Agency, Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, and Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission. Margins ID Systems is the company behind the Intelligent Card Production System (ICPS), producing the Ghana Cards as technical partners to the National Identification Authority.

Importance of a secure biometric database

Mr. Baiden, a prominent figure in the identity management industry, stressed that a secure biometric database is crucial for the success of any digital economy.

He emphasised that the effective digitization of services can significantly reduce the stress citizens endure, lower transaction costs, and enhance the government's ability to deliver services more efficiently.

Mr Baiden demonstrated how the secure biometric database supports not only the identity verification process but also a myriad of applications crucial for the digital transformation of the country.

Benefits of digitisation

"A digital economy cannot succeed without a secure biometric database," Baiden stated, highlighting the necessity of accuracy and security in data management.

He pointed out that digitising services is a game-changer, offering numerous benefits such as reduced costs and improved service delivery.

This visit marks a significant step in strengthening Ghana's digital infrastructure, reinforcing the country's commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth and enhanced public service delivery.

He believes that Ghanaian companies can go global, saying, “We must own and price our resources in a way that benefits the country.”

Connecting people to data

“The vision is to build a company with cutting-edge technology that sits between the material and immaterial world,” he added.

Mr. Baiden explained that identification connects people to data, and documents are no longer physical but digitised.

He noted that the system provides a unique identity because the base of fraud is to duplicate an identity.

According to him, in order to commit a crime, the criminal has to wear a mask digitally or physically to harm public and private resources.

Therefore, he said the government prioritized ID as the first step in building a clean society.

Legal process and ID security

Mr. Baiden said the legal process determines how secure an ID is because the technology must always follow the law.

He appealed to Ghanaians to resist institutions from photocopying their Ghana Cards for transactions.

Instead, citizens should insist on verification methods prescribed by the National Identification Authority (NIA). This call to action aims to enhance the security of personal data and ensure the integrity of the national identification system as Ghana advances towards a robust digital economy.

Risks of improper use of Ghana cards

Mr. Baiden highlighted that improper use of the Ghana Card, such as photocopying or sharing digital copies, can enable criminals to use others' identities to commit fraud and other crimes.

"Any reproduction of the Ghana Card exposes the card owner to identity theft," he noted, emphasizing the importance of adhering to NIA guidelines to protect citizens' identities.

He explained that the NIA system requires individuals to present themselves and provide fingerprint verification, which generates an audit code linked to the transaction.

This method ensures a high level of security and authenticity in identity verification.

Challenges and best practices

Mr. Baiden also pointed out that the primary challenge in Ghana's data protection and identification efforts is not related to data collection or technology but rather to attitudinal and enforcement issues.

He urged institutions to fully familiarize themselves with the NIA system to make informed decisions and adopt best practices.

The officials from the participating agencies asked questions about the process, which were answered by the top management of the company.