The Chief Executive Officer of Margins ID Group, Mr Moses K. Baiden, has announced that Ghana is set to launch a digital version of its universal national ID, the Ghana Card, next year.

This move is aimed at complementing the physical card, offering citizens additional options for identity verification.

In an interview with Techfocus24, Mr Baiden explained that the electronic ID profile, similar to the e-passport profile, is already on the physical Ghana Card and will be activated in the coming year. 

The digital version will involve transferring information from the card's chip to the owner's mobile phone via an application (App), generating a digital replica with a bar/QR code for various digital purposes.

Mr Baiden emphasised the convenience of having both physical and digital ID options, noting that not everyone has access to a mobile phone or digital infrastructure everywhere. 

He highlighted that while the digital version is efficient, it cannot be accessed if the owner's phone is unavailable.

Additionally, Mr Baiden addressed the existence of a payment application on the Ghana Card, dismissing sarcastic comments about its capabilities. He revealed that there are 18 segments on the card, including a debit application, awaiting activation pending legislation and funding.

Margins, the company behind the Ghana Card, has been pre-financing the development, aiming for instant card issuance and achieving a reliable universal national ID card. 

Mr Baiden emphasised that Margins has saved the state over US$1.5 billion by streamlining data collection and facilitating online service applications.

Furthermore, Mr Baiden discussed the development of NFC card readers by Margins, allowing offline verification of ID details and biometric checks.

''These readers contribute to an efficient ID system, facilitating precise development planning and ensuring citizens' rights and privileges;'' he said.

While Mr Baiden acknowledged that the digital ID can be a valuable addition, he stressed that Ghana is not yet ready to discard physical cards entirely. 

The combination of physical and digital options aims to provide flexibility and convenience for citizens in various situations, he concluded.