Interior Minister Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak has described the Ghana Card as a critical national asset that has evolved beyond a basic identification document into a major tool for national security, governance and economic inclusion.
Speaking at the 20th Anniversary Launch of the National Identification Authority (NIA) in Accra on Thursday, May 21, 2026, under the theme “Reflecting on the Past, Securing the Future,” the Minister said Ghana’s biometric identity system has become central to service delivery and national development.
Addressing participants at the event, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak noted that the NIA has transformed significantly since its establishment in 2006 despite the challenges and limited resources that characterized its early years.
He said the Authority has grown from a conceptual initiative into a resilient and technologically advanced biometric identity ecosystem serving millions of Ghanaians.
“Building a national identity system is a continuous journey, one that must evolve alongside our people, our economy, and our national aspirations,” he stated.
The Interior Minister outlined three key priorities government intends to pursue to strengthen the country’s identity management system.
These include achieving universal identity coverage to ensure every Ghanaian is captured within the system, protecting the integrity and security of citizens’ data, and promoting innovation to make identity services more efficient and accessible.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the NIA and urged staff, stakeholders and development partners to sustain the institution’s progress and continue advancing identity management systems within the sub-region.
Also speaking at the launch, Executive Secretary of the NIA, Wisdom Kwaku Deku, reflected on the Authority’s achievements over the past two decades and underscored the role of technology in improving operational efficiency and modernization.
He maintained that the Ghana Card remains a vital tool for inclusion and easier access to services across the country.