KEY POINTS
- ACDT calls for the Ghana Card to function as an ATM card.
- Biometric authentication and PIN verification will improve security.
- Banks must upgrade ATMs and POS systems for Ghana Card use.
The National Identification Authority (NIA), the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and financial institutions have been urged by the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) to guarantee that the Ghana Card can be used as an ATM card.
Ghana Card could transform banking and financial transactions
In a news release, ACDT called for stakeholders to work together to integrate the Ghana Card into financial transactions and praised the NIA for furthering Ghana’s digital identification goal.
“Millions of Ghanaians will benefit from increased financial inclusion, security, and convenience as a result of the previous government’s integration of the Ghana Card into banking and financial transactions,” the statement said.
Through a safe national database, the organization suggested connecting all bank accounts to the Ghana Card, enabling users to make payments, withdraw cash, and transfer money.
Biometric security and PIN verification to enhance safety
According to Myjoyonline, ACDT suggested adding PIN verification and biometric authentication to ATM and POS systems to increase security. It recommended that consumers utilize their Ghana Card’s unique PIN or fingerprint scanning to confirm purchases.
ACDT encouraged retailers to use point-of-sale (POS) systems that facilitate Ghana Card transactions and pushed banks to update ATM infrastructure to detect the integrated chip in the Ghana Card. In order to safeguard users against fraud and cyber dangers, it also emphasized the necessity of the Bank of Ghana and financial authorities having clear legal and security rules.
The group called for a national campaign to educate Ghanaians on how to link their Ghana Card to bank accounts and use it safely for financial transactions, stressing the value of public education.
“We call on the Bank of Ghana, the NIA, and all other significant financial institutions to move quickly to guarantee that the Ghana Card functions as an ATM card, giving millions of Ghanaians easy and safe access to money,” ACDT stated.
