Ghana’s ambitious 24-hour economy vision hinges on a critical, often overlooked, component: a robust digital identity system.
This was the stark message delivered by Moses Kweku Baiden Jnr., CEO and founder of Margins ID Group, at the 9th CEO Summit in Accra on Monday, May 26.
Baiden, whose firm specializes in identity solutions and secure access, urged the government to integrate digital identity as a “bold and integral aspect” of the 24-hour policy.
He stressed that without a trusted, verifiable legal, physical, and digital identity for every citizen, Ghana risks being exposed to fraud, impersonation, and corruption, while simultaneously losing out on vital economic opportunities.
“We must be able to confirm who a person is, whether in-person or online, with speed, certainty, and security,” Baiden asserted. “Without such a system, we are vulnerable… to lost opportunities.”
Speaking at the summit, themed “Digital Identity for Business and Economic Reset: Empowering Ghana’s Transformational Agenda,” Baiden underscored the necessity of investing in identity systems to safeguard rights and responsibilities, ensuring contractual compliance and fostering a secure environment for everyone, around the clock.
He painted a vision of a “digital world powered by identity,” where not only people but also devices and systems are uniquely identified, trusted, and verifiable in real-time.
“Trust, delivered at digital speed, is the currency of this new economy. And Ghana is ready,” he declared.
Baiden elaborated on the Ghana Card and the National ID System, describing it as a “multi-factor, multi-purpose, physical, electronic, and digital identity system” capable of establishing identity both physically and digitally, even in off-grid communities.
He highlighted the National Identification Authority (NIA) system database as the “trusted foundation for aggregating data that is tied to verifiable and trusted identities,” crucial for efficient planning and effective service delivery.
Looking beyond the immediate, Baiden emphasized the transformative power of e-government and e-commerce.
He argued that e-government fosters transparency and efficiency in public service delivery, while e-commerce enables businesses to scale globally.
However, he stressed, “none of this is possible without a legally established, reliable, and universal digital identity system that meets international standards.”
“Identity is the great enabler,” Baiden stated unequivocally, explaining how it unlocks public services, drives social and financial inclusion, strengthens institutions, and empowers businesses to onboard customers securely.
He pointed out that it allows banks to lend with reduced risk, impacting interest rates, and enables governments to protect the vulnerable and allocate resources intelligently.
Baiden proudly announced that the NIA has successfully registered over 98% of the adult population, a “remarkable milestone.” He also noted the significant step of assigning Ghana Card numbers to children at birth, linked to their parents’ identity, enabling continuous tracking through key life stages.
This, he explained, provides real-time data on demographics, population movement, and community structures, empowering “smarter governance” and “evidence-based policymaking.”
He cited tangible successes already attributed to the digital identity journey. The integration of NIA and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has demonstrably boosted tax collection. In 2022, the GRA collected GH₵75.71 billion.
This soared to GH₵113.06 billion in 2023, a 49.3% increase, and is projected to reach GH₵153.5 billion in 2024, surpassing targets by GH₵7.5 billion and marking a 35% growth over 2023. This, he said, has curbed tax evasion and expanded the tax base.
Furthermore, the integration of the Ghana Card with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) system has revolutionized healthcare by enabling instant patient verification, laying the groundwork for a national e-health ecosystem.
Similarly, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has seen transformed licensing and vehicle registration processes, eliminating manual systems and reducing the role of middlemen.
Baiden concluded by reiterating that the Ghana Card and the National Identification Register are not just documents but the backbone of a truly digital public sector, empowering Ghana to make smarter, more targeted investments and ensuring the realization of its 24-hour economy aspirations.
