Ghana has proposed an electronic passport in a complicated context

Ghana has launched a new version of its passport that includes a chip containing the holder’s biometric data. The country’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, introduced the new document at a ceremony in Accra on 2nd December, highlighting it as a symbol of digital transformation.  

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lobally, identification systems are undergoing an unprecedented transformation. The adoption of advanced technologies, such as biometric data, integrated chips, and document digitisation, is redefining how people identify themselves and access services. 

Understanding how these systems work, citizens’ rights over their data, and the regulations that support them enables informed decision-making and the ability to demand assurances that protect both individual privacy and ethical principles in their implementation. 

Digital identification not only affects the way we travel or access services; it also has profound implications for citizenship, human rights, and trust in institutions. Understanding this landscape is key to taking charge in an environment that is changing by the minute. 

Biometric-based digital passport 

One of the latest known projects is Ghana’s digital passport. Over the past decade, Africa has faced significant challenges related to digital identity, due to the rapid adoption of advanced technologies without a solid legislative infrastructure to guarantee privacy and citizens’ rights. The implementation of biometric and centralised identification systems, often funded by international agencies, has raised concerns about discrimination, social exclusion, and misuse of personal data. Moreover, the lack of strict regulations has allowed for the increasing use of surveillance technologies and facial recognition, which, in some cases, have been employed to restrict fundamental freedoms such as expression and peaceful assembly. This situation highlights the urgent need to balance technological innovation with an ethical and regulatory approach that protects the most vulnerable populations. 

The Ghanaian project, managed by the local company Biometric Travel Solutions Ltd in collaboration with the Hungarian ANY Security Printing Company Plc, will operate under a development agreement for the next 10 years. The passport, “designed with elements that reflect Ghana’s culture and values,” as explained during the launch event, aims to improve security, reduce processing time, and meet international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey emphasised that the new passport will make counterfeiting more difficult, prevent identity theft, and streamline the application process, strengthening the government’s efforts to modernise public services and adopt advanced technology in the region. As part of this initiative, Ghana also launched the CitizenApp in October to facilitate access to government digital services. 

A passport system reform that demands oversight and accountability 

The Ghanaian government faces numerous challenges in undertaking such a profound reform of its passport system, based on the introduction of advanced biometric technology. While this innovation promises increased security and efficiency, it also raises significant concerns related to citizens’ privacy and the ethical handling of their data. 

• Risks of surveillance and excessive control. Storing biometric data in passports could enable more detailed tracking of citizens’ movements. Without clear regulation and guarantees of responsible use, this technology could be used for mass surveillance, eroding fundamental rights such as privacy and freedom of movement, as seen with mobile loan services in Kenya. Through the M-Shwari mobile payment system, in collaboration with Safaricom, the country’s largest mobile network operator, and CBA (Commercial Bank of Africa) via the M-Pesa platform, vast amounts of personal data were collected from users, including behavioural patterns and financial habits. This data has been used not only to assess credit but also to monitor and classify individuals, raising concerns about discrimination, social exclusion, and misuse of information—issues that could be repeated with the use of biometric data without proper regulation. 

• Vulnerability to cyberattacks. Biometric data, due to its high sensitivity, is an attractive target for hackers. If the systems protecting this data are not sufficiently robust, there is a risk of cyberattacks that could expose personal information, severely compromising citizens’ security. 

• Data breaches. The centralisation of biometric data increases the likelihood of leaks. Once this information, such as fingerprints or facial patterns, is compromised, it cannot be replaced or repaired, as with passwords or traditional documents, putting individuals’ digital identity at risk. 

• Lack of control over personal data. Citizens may not understand or have a say in how their biometric data is managed, stored, or shared. This could create distrust towards the system, especially if there is no transparency about the agreements between the government and the private partners responsible for the project. This is why the foundations of the project must be transparent and accessible. 

• Dependence on private partners. The role of the private company Biometric Travel Solutions Ltd in managing the project, along with its Hungarian partner ANY Security Printing Company Plc, raises questions about data sovereignty. Without strict oversight, there is a risk that this data could be used for commercial purposes or beyond the reach of state control. 

To overcome these challenges, the government must prioritise the creation of a clear regulatory framework that ensures the privacy and security of data, while also promoting transparency in all aspects of the project. The path outlined by Self Sovereign Identities (SSI) is a promising example, as they allow citizens to have direct control over their personal data, avoiding excessive centralisation and reducing the risks of abuse. 

These identities provide a model in which individuals decide what information to share and with whom, strengthening trust and minimising the possibility of discrimination or exclusion. Adopting a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) approach could not only address the current privacy and security issues but also position the country as a leader in ethical technological innovation within the region. Only by doing so can a balance be achieved between technological innovation and respect for fundamental rights.