Key takeaways.
1) Identity verification is a core regulatory requirement in Ghana, essential for preventing fraud and meeting KYC/AML compliance.
2) The Ghana Card is now the primary and most accepted verification document for customer identity verification in 2026.
3) Passports and driver’s licenses remain acceptable but often require additional checks, especially for online identity verification.
4) Voter ID cards are increasingly restricted and should be used with caution, particularly in a high-risk onboarding process.
5) Digital and online identity verification tools, including identity verification software, are becoming critical for compliant and efficient customer onboarding.
Introduction
As Ghana’s financial ecosystem becomes increasingly digital, businesses are under growing pressure to verify who their customers really are. For financial institutions to stay compliant and, at the same time, prevent fraud, identity verification has become a foundational requirement for customer onboarding.
Identity verification helps institutions reduce the risk of identity theft and impersonation by confirming and verifying the identity of the individual.
In Ghana, stronger KYC verification procedures are now expected, and these should be supported by effective verification documents and increasingly online systems that facilitate online identity verification.
In this article, you will learn what identity verification means, the regulatory framework in Ghana, and the accepted identity documents businesses must rely on for customer verification in Ghana.
What Is Identity Verification?
Identity verification is the process of confirming a person is who they claim to be by verifying their identity against reliable sources.
Identity verification involves reviewing official identification documents, such as a national ID or passport, to confirm personal details such as name, date of birth, and nationality. It is a core component of KYC verification and customer due diligence.
Digital identity verification involves using online ID verification, combining document checks with biometric matching, database validation, and risk scoring.
In Ghana, many institutions rely on identity verification software to automate customer identity verification, reduce manual errors, and meet regulatory expectations. Whether conducted in person or digitally, identity verification is central to safely and compliantly onboarding customers.
Regulatory Framework Governing Customer Identification in Ghana.
Customer identity verification in Ghana is guided by several regulatory instruments and supervisory bodies. These frameworks define how ID verification must be conducted and which verification documents are acceptable.
Key regulatory pillars include:
1) The Bank of Ghana's AML/CFT and KYC Guidelines provide the operational standards that banks, fintech companies, and other regulated financial institutions must follow. They include the requirements for customer due diligence, risk-based monitoring, transaction monitoring, and compliance to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
2) The Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044): Operational standards for banks and other regulated financial institutions are set by the Bank of Ghana's AML/CFT and KYC Guidelines. The requirements set by these guidelines include customer due diligence, risk monitoring, reporting, and compliance with money laundering and terrorism financing.
3) The Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), complements AML and KYC measures by regulating how customer information is processed, stored, and exchanged. It ensures that while meeting their obligations in terms of reporting and compliance, banks handle personal information lawfully, securely, and with due regard for individuals’ privacy.
Together, these regulations require institutions to implement risk-based KYC verification, verify customer identities before onboarding, and maintain records of identity verification activities. Failure to comply can result in regulatory sanctions, fines, or even reputational damage.
What Identity Documents Are Accepted for Customer Verification in Ghana?
Not all documents qualify for ID verification under Ghanaian regulations. Such a document must meet certain criteria, must be issued by a recognized government authority, must be unique to the individual, and must have a valid and unexpired date.
Some of these documents that are accepted for customer verification in Ghana are
1) Ghana Card (National Identification Card)
The Ghana Card, which is issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA), has become the new benchmark for physical identity verification in Ghana. The Ghana Card is the most accepted document for KYC verification among various financial institutions.
The biometric characteristics and personal identification number of the Ghana Card make it an ideal tool for physical and online identity verification.
2) Passport
Passports, both Ghanaian and foreign, are accepted verification documents for ID verification, particularly for non-resident customers or international transactions.
However, passports often require supplementary checks, especially when used for identity verification online, as they may not always integrate seamlessly with local databases. Institutions using passports for KYC verification must apply appropriate risk controls.
3) Driver’s License
The Ghanaian driver’s license, which is issued by the DVLA, is also acceptable for customer identity verification. Although it can be used for basic identity verification, it may not be adequate for advanced identity verification for online use unless other verification tools are used.
Therefore, driver’s licenses are often used in conjunction with other verification tools or identity verification software.
4) Voter’s ID Card
Traditionally, the voter ID card is used as a means of ID verification. However, there has been a decline in the acceptance of voter ID cards. Due to insufficient biometric verification and legal issues, the use of voter ID cards is now restricted as a means of KYC verification, particularly in higher-risk onboarding processes.
Businesses should check current regulations before using voter ID cards as a means of customer verification.
Conclusion.
As the financial market continues to grow and change, regulators in Ghana expect financial institutions to employ risk-based verification processes for KYC verification, which should be complemented by trusted verification documents.
Knowing which document is accepted for customer identity verification and how it should be used is essential for maintaining compliance and limiting exposure to potential fraud.
With the Ghana Card now the focal point of identity verification in the country, businesses will need to adjust their processes to meet the requirements of the law while providing the best experience for customers.
At Youverify, we help businesses in Ghana and all over Africa streamline ID verification and customer identity verification through secure, compliant, and scalable identity verification software
If you’re looking to strengthen your onboarding processes, reduce fraud, and stay compliant with the Ghanaian regulations, book a free demo.