Mahama lauds and Margins ID Group for transforming Ghana’s digital identity landscape

President John Dramani Mahama endorsed Margins ID Group and CEO Moses Kwesi Baiden Jr. He praised their role in transforming Ghana’s digital identity infrastructure with the Ghana Card system.

At the 9th Ghana CEO Summit in Accra, Mahama called the Ghana Card essential. He described it as the “backbone of a digitally sovereign and competitive economy.” His comments followed a keynote address by Baiden on “Digital Identity for Business and Economic Empowerment.”

Mahama noted that other African countries are interested in Ghana's model. He shared that he received a request from the Democratic Republic of Congo about the Ghana Card system. “They asked if it was working, and I confidently told them: yes, it is,” he said.

The President highlighted innovations enabled by the Ghana Card. For example, road tolls will be reintroduced using this system. “Every vehicle is now digitally linked to its owner's Ghana Card,” he explained.

“No more manual toll booths or physical cards,” Mahama continued. A simple photo of your car can trigger a bill sent directly to your mobile money or bank account.

In his speech, Moses Baiden discussed how the Ghana Card integrates with national systems. “You can input your national ID, conduct biometric verification, and within 300 milliseconds, your data appears in the DVLA database,” he stated.

This allows instant vehicle registration under your name when you buy a vehicle. Enforcement officers can verify ownership and license validity on-site without needing physical documents.

Baiden referred to the Ghana Card as an "infrastructure of trust." It supports effective governance, economic development, and social inclusion. “Any Ghanaian can access services 24/7 because they can prove who they are in real time,” he added.

He cited the DVLA’s digitization as proof of concept. They have digitized records dating back to 1972 for better revenue forecasting and validation of insurance instantly.

Baiden also highlighted improvements in healthcare due to the Ghana Card. Newborns now receive national ID numbers at birth for better health service access.

“The NHIA can close data gaps and stop fraudulent claims,” he explained. Medical records will be securely stored in the cloud for emergency access by doctors.

On national security, Baiden noted that agencies use a robust digital backbone now. Police and intelligence units can create real-time search lists using only fingerprints for identity verification.

He stressed public-private partnerships' importance in building this digital foundation since 2012. The Margins-led partnership has created a functioning digital identity ecosystem serving millions daily across sectors.

Baiden concluded with a call for digital sovereignty and innovation: “We must not be mere consumers of foreign technology.” He emphasized that the Ghana Card symbolizes what Ghana can achieve through intelligence and vision.

In recognition of his leadership, Moses Baiden received two awards at the summit:

- CEO of the Year – Technology, Infrastructure, National
- CEO of the Year – Technology/ICT Sector

These awards affirm Baiden’s crucial role in guiding Ghana toward a digital future.