The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that the government will launch a fresh nationwide SIM registration exercise in the first quarter of 2026.
According to the Minister, the previous registration exercise carried out under former Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was invalid. He explained that “the registrations did not cross-reference the biometrics collected against the national database. Nothing of that sort was done.”
Mr. George stated that the necessary legal framework for the new exercise is nearly complete. “The Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is ready. I am meticulous about what I am doing. First quarter next year, we will roll it out. We are currently at the Public Procurement Authority procuring the service provider for the SIM registration,” he said.
He emphasized that the upcoming exercise will be fully grounded in law. “We have drafted the L.I., which will be laid before Parliament because there must be a proper legal basis for this initiative. The regulator has already carried out testing and other preparatory measures,” Mr. George added.
Clarifying further, the Minister stated that this will not be a continuation or re-registration of the previous exercise. “We are not doing a re-registration. We are conducting a SIM registration. The former Minister did not conduct a proper registration; it was a waste of everyone’s time,” he noted.
He also confirmed that the Ministry has been collaborating closely with the National Identification Authority (NIA) and other relevant agencies to ensure a reliable biometric verification system. “We have coordinated with the Interior Minister and the head of NIA, Yayra Koku, to integrate the Telcos, the regulator (NCA), and the NIA for a seamless registration process,” Mr. George stated.
