Ghana is set to launch a new, mandatory SIM registration process aimed at enhancing national security and curbing mobile money fraud. Sam Nartey George, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, defended the necessity of this exercise on ChannelOne TV’s “Face To Face,” emphasizing the need for a truly biometrically verified database.
Addressing critics of the process, Minister George underscored that the initiative aligns with international standards. “the whole concept of registering sims um or identifying the owners of sims is a universal concept.”
During the interview, the Minister highlighted critical failures in the previous registration attempt conducted between 2021 and 2023, noting it lacked proper biometric verification, which allowed for fraudulent registrations. “Phase one they took whatever data you presented and then phase two she says they did a linkage of the SIM card to the Ghana card number.”
The new strategy involves a tighter security loop, linking not just the subscriber to the card, but also the physical device. “Now I have your Ghana card biometrically linked and I have your device biometrically linked.”
Looking ahead to the roll-out in the third quarter of this year, Minister George made it clear that this process is essential for continued service. “It will be mandatory for the use of telecom services in the country.”
Citizens are urged to ensure their Ghana Cards are valid to avoid disconnection once the new system goes live.