Moses K. Baiden, CEO of Margins ID Systems, has called data the new gold crucial for building Ghana’s digital economy. During a visit by the Ministry of Communication and its agencies, Mr. Baiden emphasized that data is essential as the world moves towards digitization.
The visit allowed the ministry and agencies to see the complex processes behind the Ghana Card’s production and understand the many uses of its database. The agencies present included the Ghana Digital Centres, Cyber Security Authority, Data Protection Commission, Ghana Domain Names Registry, Ghana Post, National Communication Authority, National Information Technology Agency, Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, and the Postal & Courier Services Regulatory Commission.
Margins ID Systems is responsible for the Intelligent Card Production System (ICPS), which is key to producing the Ghana Cards. Mr. Baiden stressed the importance of having a secure biometric database for a successful digital economy. He pointed out that digitizing services can reduce citizen stress, lower transaction costs, and improve government efficiency.
Mr. Baiden explained that the secure biometric database is not just for verifying identities but also supports many important applications for Ghana’s digital transformation. He believes that a digital economy cannot succeed without accurate and secure data management.
He also mentioned that Ghanaian companies have the potential to succeed globally if they properly manage and price their resources. “We must own and price our resources in a way that benefits the country,” he said.
Mr. Baiden noted that as services become digitized, documents are no longer physical but digital. He highlighted the importance of unique identities to prevent fraud, as duplicating identities is a major issue. He called on Ghanaians to avoid having their Ghana Cards photocopied and instead use the verification methods recommended by the National Identification Authority (NIA) to protect their personal data.
Improper use of the Ghana Card, like photocopying or sharing digital copies, can lead to identity theft, he warned. Mr. Baiden emphasized that the NIA’s system ensures high security by requiring fingerprint verification for transactions. He also mentioned that the main challenge in data protection and identification is not technology but rather the attitudes and enforcement of proper practices.
During the visit, officials from the participating agencies also asked questions about the process, which were addressed by Margins ID Systems’ top management.
