Biometric SIM Re-Registration to Reset Ghana’s Telecom Database — Sam George

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that a new nationwide SIM re-registration exercise will be undertaken later this year to establish a more secure and reliable mobile subscriber database.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Accra, he said the upcoming exercise would mark a significant departure from previous registration efforts, as it would, for the first time, incorporate biometric verification.

“What we are about to do has never been done before. This will be the first time we are introducing biometric verification into the SIM registration process,” he stated.

The Minister explained that extensive preparatory work has been undertaken over the past year, covering both policy formulation and the development of regulatory frameworks to support the exercise.

He noted that the initiative had been outlined during his vetting, where he indicated the government’s intention to embark on a comprehensive SIM re-registration programme.

He commended the efforts of the National Communications Authority (NCA), led by its Director-General, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, for laying the groundwork for the rollout.

Mr. George stressed that the success of the exercise would largely depend on public confidence in the integrity and credibility of the process.

Acknowledging concerns from previous registration exercises, particularly the 2017 process, he assured that lessons had been learned to improve transparency and efficiency.

He underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement, noting that consultations had been held with key industry players, including the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.

Describing the media as a critical partner, the Minister urged journalists to use the engagement as an opportunity to seek clarity and help educate the public.

“Consider this stakeholder engagement as your one-on-one opportunity to ask all the questions,” he said.

In a significant development, Mr. George highlighted that, for the first time, the leadership of both the National Communications Authority and the National Identification Authority (NIA) are jointly involved in SIM registration discussions.

“At no point in our national history, whether during the 2010 registration or the 2021 to 2023 exercise, have you seen the heads of these two critical institutions sit together to discuss SIM registration,” he noted.

“This is not the old system. Clearly, this is a different process — behold, all things have become new,” he added.

Providing further details, Director-General of the NCA, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, said SIM registration remains critical in linking verified identities to mobile numbers, thereby addressing national security concerns and identity-related fraud.

He explained that weaknesses in previous exercises, particularly between 2021 and 2023, stemmed from the absence of robust identity verification and biometric validation, which allowed individuals to register SIM cards using other people’s identification details.

He also cited the non-enforcement of limits on the number of SIM cards per individual as a major challenge.

To address these gaps, Rev. Fianko said the new framework would strengthen biometric verification while improving convenience in the registration process.

A verified sample

Out of 2.3 million SIM records analysed, about 1.8 million could not be verified through facial matching, while fingerprint verification recorded no matches due to system incompatibility.

These findings, he said, highlight vulnerabilities in the system that could be exploited for fraud or criminal activity.

On the legal front, Rev. Fianko indicated that the government, in collaboration with the National Identification Authority, is updating the regulatory framework to support the new registration regime.

The revised regulations will make real-time biometric verification a legal requirement and establish a secure digital registration system anchored on a centralised national SIM database.

The new framework will also introduce clear rules on SIM ownership transfers and include provisions for minors, businesses, foreigners and tourists.

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Additionally, a Central Equipment Identity Register will be introduced to block stolen phones and prevent unauthorised devices from accessing mobile networks.

To enhance accessibility, the exercise will offer multiple registration channels, including self-service options, assisted registration and mobile registration teams to serve rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Flour

Consumers will be required to register their SIM cards using the Ghana Card, report lost or stolen devices promptly, avoid registering SIM cards for other individuals and safeguard their personal identification information.

Rev. Fianko emphasised that the exercise is designed to be stress-free, convenient and free for all subscribers, addressing challenges experienced during the 2022–2023 registration drive.

Mr. George concluded that the upcoming SIM re-registration represents a complete transformation of Ghana’s telecom identification system and will deliver a secure, efficient and user-friendly experience for all citizens.