Ghana’s Minister-Designate
for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has
announced plans for a new SIM card re-registration exercise aimed at addressing
the persistent challenges in identifying SIM holders and combating fraud within
the telecommunications sector. Unlike the previous registration process, this
upcoming exercise will be fully funded by telecom operators and will leverage advanced
technology to ensure a seamless, efficient, and more accurate verification
system.
Speaking before the Appointments
Committee of Parliament on January 30, Sam George stated that the current SIM
register is unreliable, making it difficult for mobile network operators to
accurately identify users, particularly those engaged in fraudulent activities.
He explained that despite telcos investing millions of Ghana cedis into
the previous re-registration exercise—paying fees to the National
Communications Authority (NCA), the National Identification Authority (NIA),
and their private sector partners—the expected benefits have not materialized.
"Today, telcos cannot
still tell who holds their SIM cards. Fraud in the mobile money space has not
reduced, meaning the SIM register has failed to serve its intended
purpose," he said.
Unlike the previous manual
SIM re-registration exercise, which required citizens to physically visit telco
offices and endure long queues, the new approach will be entirely technology-driven.
Sam George assured Ghanaians that no one will be required to visit a telco’s
office unless there are discrepancies in their registration data.
"We will do a proper
SIM re-registration again, but this time, nobody is going to queue because
common sense will prevail, expertise will prevail, and logic will work," he stated.
He further explained that over
90% of SIM holders will receive automatic confirmation messages on their phones
once their details are successfully verified. However, individuals with
inconsistencies in their registration details will be notified and required to
visit their telco’s office for resolution.
"No one is going to
lose their SIM due to this re-registration. It is only to verify all existing
SIMs properly, not to deactivate them," he assured.
The exercise will involve cross-referencing
telcos’ subscriber data with the NIA’s database, allowing for a streamlined
digital validation process without unnecessary manual intervention.
Despite having already
funded previous SIM registration initiatives, telcos will be required to
finance this new exercise entirely. Sam George justified this by arguing that a
clean and reliable SIM register is ultimately in the telcos' own interest.
"If telcos do not know
who holds their SIM cards, they will be liable to fines. They would rather pay
for a clean register than risk being sanctioned," he stated.
Beyond SIM re-registration,
Sam George also pledged to improve the quality of telecom services by
allocating more spectrum to mobile network operators (MNOs). However, he made
it clear that telcos failing to improve network performance after receiving
additional spectrum will face strict penalties.
"I will not be a
minister who is afraid to impose fines when MNOs fail to deliver quality
services. We will support them to provide the best service, but there will be
consequences for poor network performance," he emphasized.
Issues such as call drops,
slow internet speeds, and poor connectivity will be closely monitored, and
telcos that fail to meet service standards will be held accountable.
Sam George also underscored
the government’s commitment to fostering a pro-innovation regulatory
environment, ensuring that Ghana remains a leader in Africa’s digital
transformation.
With the upcoming SIM
re-registration, improved network quality enforcement, and a renewed focus on digital
innovation, the government aims to create a secure, efficient, and
forward-thinking telecommunications ecosystem that benefits both consumers and
industry stakeholders.
