Proposal for the Overhaul of Ghana’s National Identification and Digital Governance Systems

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
15th June, 2025
To:

• Office of the President, Republic of Ghana
• Parliament of Ghana – Leadership & Oversight Committees
• Ministry of Communications and Digitalization
• Ministry of Finance
• National Identification Authority (NIA)
• Bank of Ghana & Financial Regulatory Bodies
• Office of the Special Prosecutor
• Audit Service of Ghana
• Civil Society Organizations & Anti-Corruption Advocacy Groups
• Technology & Cybersecurity Experts
• National Media Platforms & Investigative Journalists

Proposal for the Overhaul of Ghana’s National Identification and Digital Governance Systems

The recent revelations surrounding fraudulent activities within the National Service Scheme (NSS) have exposed critical weaknesses in Ghana’s digital identification, payroll verification, and cybersecurity. This scandal, involving unauthorized data manipulation, ghost names, and systemic payroll fraud, raises urgent concerns about the integrity of our digital governance framework.

To ensure accountability, transparency, and security, Ghana must undertake a comprehensive overhaul of its digital infrastructure. This proposal outlines strategic reforms to restore public confidence and strengthen the nation’s digital governance framework.

Key Issues Identified
1. Manipulation of Digital Systems & Payroll Fraud

• Unauthorized personnel records and ghost names continue to drain public funds.
• Payroll systems lack strict verification protocols, enabling systemic fraud.

2. Inadequate Enforcement of Ghana Card Authentication

• Government payrolls do not mandate Ghana Card validation, leading to identity fraud.
• Gaps in registration prevent universal biometric ID integration into national services.

3. Cybersecurity Weaknesses & Data Integrity Risks

• Government databases remain vulnerable to unauthorized modifications and breaches.
• Weak cybersecurity policies fail to prevent digital fraud and identity

• Major governance scandals undermine citizen confidence in digital transparency.
• Poor public accountability and oversight mechanisms discourage engagement.

Proposed Solutions & Urgent Reforms
1. Nationwide Digital Audit & Payroll System Cleanup

• Conduct an independent forensic audit of all government payroll systems.
• Identify and eliminate ghost names, ensuring strict personnel validation.
• Strengthen access control protocols to prevent unauthorized modifications.

2. Mandatory Ghana Card Integration Across All Public & Private Services

• Enforce biometric Ghana Card authentication across payroll, banking, and national records.
• Introduce strict penalties for non-compliance, ensuring full regulatory enforcement.
• Accelerate registration campaigns, guaranteeing universal Ghana Card access.

3. Cybersecurity Strengthening & Fraud Prevention Measures

• Implement end-to-end encryption for public-sector databases to prevent data breaches.
• Establish a Digital Fraud Prevention Task Force for ongoing oversight.
• Upgrade cybersecurity policies, aligning with international best practices.

4. Public Transparency & Citizen Accountability Mechanisms

• Provide real-time access to government expenditure reports for public scrutiny.
• Enable citizen verification portals, allowing direct access to personal digital records.
• Launch nationwide public education initiatives on data security and governance accountability.

Targeted Action Plan for Key Institutions

1. Government & Policy Makers

• Enact immediate legislative reforms enforcing Ghana Card authentication.
• Establish a centralized oversight unit for public-sector payroll security.
• Strengthen cybersecurity laws to prevent future fraudulent activities.

2. Civil Society & Anti-Corruption Advocates

• Mobilize public pressure for mandatory digital fraud prevention frameworks.
• Promote citizen-driven audits to enhance transparency in national service operations.
• Educate communities on digital rights and public-sector accountability.

3. Financial & Technology Institutions

• Ensure secure digital identification integration within national banking systems.
• Strengthen biometric authentication solutions for fraud prevention.
• Collaborate on cybersecurity resilience measures for digital financial transactions.

4. National Media & Investigative Journalism

• Increase coverage on digital governance failures and accountability loopholes.
• Expose vulnerabilities in public-sector identification and payroll verification.
• Facilitate discussions on policy reforms with key decision-makers and experts.

Call to Action – National Reform Agenda

This crisis presents an opportunity to redefine Ghana’s digital governance standards. We urge the Government of Ghana, regulatory agencies, civil society organizations, financial institutions, and media platforms to champion a bold and decisive overhaul of the nation’s digital identification and anti-corruption frameworks.

A failure to act decisively will exacerbate fiscal losses, erode public trust, and compromise national security. Ghana’s digital transformation must be built on transparency, integrity, and resilience.

For Further Engagement & Policy Consultation

Stakeholders seeking collaboration, policy consultations, or investigative insights are encouraged to initiate direct dialogue with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and independent experts to advance the proposed reforms.

Together, we can safeguard Ghana’s digital future.

Retired Senior Citizen
Teshie-Nungua
[email protected]