The Bank of Ghana has issued a Supervisory Guidance Note mandating the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for all customer transactions.

The Ghana Card, which makes it easy to prove your identity or citizenship, will now be the primary document requirement.

This directive, formulated in 2025, came into effect on January 8, 2026, supersedes the 2022 guidelines and what is being envisaged as a secured means of verification.

“Accountable institutions (AIs) shall use only the Ghana Card to identify and verify all customers,” applying to holders being Ghanaian citizens at home and abroad.

It further extends to permanent residents and ECOWAS nationals during an account opening.

Foreign non-residents in the country for less than 90 days undertaking transactions are permitted to use a valid international passport but must provide additional details like visa information and date of entry.

Foreign diplomats and their dependants may use their diplomatic passports or cards issued by relevant authorities.

Ghanaians abroad without Ghana Cards may temporarily use passports.