Ghana Card sets new benchmarks in technological advancements-German

In a world where technological progress is a true measure of a nation’s development, Ghana’s digital journey—with the Ghana Card at its forefront—stands as a shining example of how innovation can enhance public services and redefine the experiences of both citizens and non-citizens.
Jörn Halsinger, a German expatriate, recently shared his firsthand experience of obtaining a Non-Citizen’s Ghana Card—a national ID—with high praise.
He described the process as “incredibly efficient” and “fully digitalized,” noting his surprise at how quickly and transparently his application was processed.
His glowing account paints a picture of a streamlined system that serves as a model for digital transformation.

Africa leading the way
Halsinger, who has spent considerable time in Europe where digital innovation is often heralded, challenged the common assumption that Europe is the uncontested leader in digital technology.
“For anyone still thinking that Europe has all the right answers in digitalization—take a look at Ghana!” he remarked.
His statement underscores Ghana’s commitment to efficiency, innovation, and technology—values that are rapidly reshaping the continent’s digital landscape.

Setting new benchmarks in digital governance
According to Halsinger, the process of securing a Ghana Card is not only user-friendly but also emblematic of the broader strides Ghana has made in digital governance.
The successful digital transformation of the national ID system is seen as a key achievement, providing a solid foundation for further advancements in areas such as financial services, public administration, and beyond.
The Ghana Card project has been hailed as one of the most successful Public-Private Partnerships in the country.

A call for global recognition
Halsinger’s experience is a testament to the potential of African nations when they harness the power of technology.
His remarks serve as an invitation to re-examine global assumptions about digital leadership and to acknowledge the innovative efforts underway in Ghana.
As the country continues to set new benchmarks in digital efficiency, it offers an inspiring model for other nations to follow.

Transforming identity management
NIA chose Identity Management Systems (IMS), an SPV of the Margjns Group a leading provider of identity solutions in Ghana. to conceptualize, design, build, finance and operate FIMS.
Industry experts contracted by Margins Group conceptualized, designed, built, and financed the Ghana Card, and they continue to operate and facilitate its dissemination.
To date, over 84 million verifications have been undertaken through the system.
So far, 18,628,814 Ghanaians have been registered, with 18,000,589 cards printed.
The system not only serves Ghanaians but also provides resident foreigners in Ghana with a secure, biometric, multi-application ICAO- and ECOWAS-compliant dual interface smart Non-Citizen Ghana Card; 202,051 foreign nationals have been registered.

Ghana Card as travel document
Additionally, more than 2,000 Ghanaians have used the Ghana Card as a travel document across 19 different countries.
Recognised as an e-passport at 197 borders and in over 44,000 airports globally, the Ghana Card stands as a beacon of digital efficiency and global connectivity.
Moreover, more than 244 institutions have been integrated into the biometric database known as the National Identification System, and over 16.5 million taxpayers have been identified.

The Ghana Card’s Personal Identification
Number now serves as the Tax Identification Number for countless Ghanaians, further streamlining government services and revenue collection.
Ghana’s digital transformation, exemplified by the Ghana Card, is not only a national success story but also a source of inspiration for the entire continent, demonstrating that with the right mix of innovation, efficiency, and public-private collaboration, even the most ambitious technological advancements are within reach.