Cabinet has approved a completely new nationwide SIM registration exercise following a review of the previous process, which the government says was affected by weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies and cases of registration fraud.
The Minister for Communications and Digital Technology, Samuel Nartey George, disclosed this during a high-level meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority.
According to the Minister, the new exercise will be a complete reset rather than a continuation of the previous registration drive. Under the proposed framework, the National Communications Authority will act as the central repository for all SIM registration data, while biometric verification will be mandatory.
Government also plans to introduce a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to allow telecom operators to block stolen or fraud-linked mobile devices across networks. A revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is also being prepared to regulate the new registration process.
Telecom operators welcomed the initiative but raised concerns about operational challenges and the cost of implementation. The government is yet to announce when the new registration exercise will begin or who will bear the associated costs.
The meeting also discussed Ghana’s 5G rollout plans. Cabinet has approved the removal of the exclusivity clause under the previous wholesale 5G framework, paving the way for a competitive spectrum auction. The revised approach is expected to allow network-based deployment while ensuring wider industry participation.
Officials say the reforms are aimed at strengthening national security, improving quality of service and accelerating Ghana’s digital transformation. Structured technical engagements between the Ministry, the telecom regulator and industry players are expected to continue as the implementation framework is finalised.