The Minister for Communication, Samuel Nartey George, has announced plans for a new nationwide SIM registration exercise following an extensive review of the previous process. The initiative has received full Cabinet approval.
According to the Minister, the earlier SIM registration exercise encountered multiple challenges, including weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies, and widespread registration fraud.
During high-level discussions with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr Samuel Nartey George disclosed the plans for a fresh national SIM registration drive. He also outlined the roadmap for the rollout of 5G services in Ghana.
Mr George emphasized that the new approach will not be a mere continuation of the previous system but a complete reset designed to restore credibility and significantly strengthen security in the registration process.
He assured the public that the National Communications Authority will serve as the central repository for all SIM registration data, with mandatory biometric verification under the new framework.
“A Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) will be introduced to enable cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices,” the Minister stated.
He further revealed that a revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is currently being prepared to regulate the exercise.
Telecom operators who participated in the meeting welcomed the initiative but raised some operational concerns, according to the Minister.
The exact commencement date for the new SIM registration exercise has not yet been announced, and it remains unclear who will bear the cost of implementation.
The planned exercise will mark the second nationwide SIM registration drive in recent years, following a similar nationwide effort in 2021 which the current administration has described as having been plagued by several serious challenges.