Claim: Ghana becomes the first African country to integrate payment into its Citizens’ Identity Card
Source: News website
Verdict: False
Researched by Gifty Tracy Aminu
On April 1, 2026, two X users claimed Ghana had become the first African country to integrate payment into its Citizens’ Identity Card and by so doing, Ghana had ditched American payment cards.
The claimants further suggested that the Ghana Card is now widely accepted in over 200 countries for online, in-store, and ATM use, for secure purchases and international payments.
“BREAKING: Ghana becomes the first African country to integrate payment into its Citizens’ Identity Card, ditching US-based payment giants Visa and Mastercard in Africa
“The card is now widely accepted in over 200 countries for online, in-store, and ATM use. It allows for secure purchases, international payments, and offers perks like insurance and emergency assistance,” one of the claims from X partly said.
Another user also shared a similar post, which said, “BREAKING: Ghana has decided to stop using U.S.-based payment giants Visa and Mastercard. The country has switched to its own infrastructure by integrating the payment system into its national identity cards.”
Both claims on X have reached over 6,700 users through reshare and accumulated 29,000 likes and 921 comments.
On April 2, 2026, a news portal known as the West Africa Weekly, published an article titled, “Ghana Turns National ID into a Payment Card, Becomes First in Africa,” largely restating the claims made in the post about the new capabilities of the Ghana Card.
This report will verify whether any new changes have been made to what the Ghana Card can do.
Fact-Check
GhanaFact did not find any announcement about new capabilities (payment system integration) into the Ghana Card from the government – be it the National Identification Authority (NIA) which was cited in the West Africa Weekly publication or from any relevant government ministry, department or agency.
Also, no credible news organisation has published any news of a new payment system in the country using the National ID.
For further clarification, on April 7, 2026, GhanaFact reached out to the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Identification Authority, Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku, who debunked the claims.
“Not true, please. We are about to start the process for the integration,” he said.
Meanwhile, on April 8, 2026, the Authority, in a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the reports that the Ghana Card is capable of financial transactions are inaccurate.
Testing the *402# shortcode or the MyCitizen App
GhanaFact investigated the code by dialling it (*402#), we found that the shortcode is a known code for holders of the Ghana Card to check registered phone numbers linked to their cards. The code also gives the holder a second option to delink their numbers. It has no option to activate any payment features on the Ghana Card.
The *MyCitizen App*, which GhanaFact found as CitizenApp, is the official app of the Government of Ghana for all citizens and residents of the Republic of Ghana. It was launched by the former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on October 7, 2024.
According to him, “the CitizenApp, which features a unique identification system like the Ghanacard, has been designed to give citizens a lifetime digital experience, as the app can be used to access public services, such as registering the birth of a new-born baby, applying for a passport and drivers license, renewing NHIS card, registering businesses, filing of taxes, searching for jobs, changing of names and, in the unfortunate event of the death of a loved one, accessing death certificate.”
The objectives mentioned during the launch of this platform, do not have any feature for an integrated payment system.
GhanaFact has shared our findings with West Africa Weekly via email, their response will be factored into this report when we get it.
Verdict
Claims that Ghana has introduced an integrated payment system into the National Identification Card (Ghana Card) and ditched systems like Visa and Mastercard are False.
