The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that the Cabinet has approved a completely new nationwide SIM registration exercise following an extensive review of the previous process.
According to the Minister, the earlier SIM registration exercise faced several operational and technical challenges, including weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies, and cases of registration fraud.
Mr. George disclosed high-level discussions with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority (NCA), where stakeholders deliberated on the proposed SIM registration reset and Ghana’s roadmap for the rollout of 5G services.
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He emphasised that the new initiative will not be a continuation of the previous system but rather a complete reset aimed at restoring credibility, strengthening security, and improving regulatory oversight within the SIM registration framework.
Outlining the structure of the new registration system, the Minister revealed that the National Communications Authority will serve as the central repository for all SIM registration data.
Biometric verification will also become mandatory for all SIM registrations, a move designed to enhance data integrity and prevent identity-related fraud.
“A Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) will be introduced to enable cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices,” Mr. George stated.
The Minister further disclosed that the government is preparing a revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to establish the legal framework for the new registration process.
Telecommunications operators who attended the meeting welcomed the initiative but raised concerns about implementation challenges, including the potential financial cost of the new system.
The government has not yet announced the official start date for the exercise, and it remains unclear which stakeholders will bear the financial responsibility for the nationwide rollout.
The new exercise will mark Ghana’s second nationwide SIM registration drive, following the earlier exercise launched in 2021, which authorities say was affected by several technical and administrative challenges.
On the deployment of 5G services, Mr. George revealed that the Cabinet has approved the removal of the exclusivity clause contained in the previous wholesale 5G framework.
The decision effectively opens the market for a competitive spectrum auction, allowing multiple telecom operators to participate in the rollout of 5G infrastructure.
The Minister clarified that the government has not abandoned the wholesale model entirely but has revised the framework to allow a network-based rollout involving several operators.
Among the major policy steps is a new spectrum auction expected to be conducted in the near future.
The government says the rollout will be carefully coordinated to avoid market distortions and ensure wider national coverage.
Telecom Operators Raise Cost Concerns
Industry players cautioned that deploying 5G infrastructure is highly capital-intensive, requiring significant investment in spectrum acquisition, network upgrades, and infrastructure expansion.
Telecom operators, therefore, called on the government to ensure reasonable spectrum pricing, clear policy direction, and streamlined regulatory approvals to facilitate faster deployment.
The meeting also reviewed Cabinet-approved reforms aimed at strengthening national security safeguards, improving telecom service quality, and accelerating Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
Stakeholders agreed to continue structured technical engagements between the Ministry, the NCA, the Telecoms Chamber, and telecom operators to refine the implementation framework.
Immediate next steps include finalising the revised Legislative Instrument and publishing documentation for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.