By: Manoah Kikekon
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| SIM card and Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Samuel Nartey George |
In a decisive move to fortify the nation’s digital landscape, the Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that Ghana will soon undergo its first-ever fully biometric SIM registration exercise. The initiative is specifically designed to eliminate the loopholes used by cybercriminals and significantly raise the stakes for those engaging in Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Minister emphasized that this is not a mere "re-registration" but a comprehensive "final registration" aimed at cleaning up the nation's telecommunications data.
One of the primary objectives of this new system is to make fraudulent activities "prohibitive." Minister Samuel Nartey George explained that by linking SIM cards directly to the National Identification Authority (NIA) database with high-level biometric triggers, the consequences for criminals will extend far beyond a simple network block.
“When his Ghana Card is blocked, he loses access to every government service. So the cost to MoMo fraud is being raised to the level that it will be prohibitive,” the Minister stated.
By integrating SIM data with essential public services, the government aims to create a deterrent where the loss of digital identity outweighs any potential gain from fraudulent activities.
The Minister was candid about the shortcomings of the previous registration cycle held between 2021 and 2023. He noted that the lack of real-time biometric verification during that period allowed flaws to persist within the system.
To ensure the integrity of the new database, the upcoming exercise will feature: Advanced Biometric Verification: Ensuring the person registering the SIM is the true owner of the Ghana Card. Liveliness Checks: Real-time facial or fingerprint matching against the NIA database to prevent identity theft. One-Time Passwords (OTPs): Multi-factor authentication for added security layers. eSIM Integration: Modernizing the registration process to include embedded SIM technology.
The Ministry clarified that migrating existing, flawed data into a new system would only transfer old problems. Therefore, this fresh start is essential for a "cleansing" of the national register.
“Migrating into a new system without proper cleansing doesn’t solve the problem; it simply transfers the flaws,” Mr. George noted, reiterating that the goal is to create a definitive, secure system that will not require further overhauls in the future.
This biometric rollout underscores a broader commitment to national security. By ensuring that every active SIM card in Ghana is tied to a verified human identity, the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation hopes to:
1. Protect Public Funds: Securing the MoMo ecosystem which millions of Ghanaians rely on daily.
2. Ensure Data Integrity: Providing a reliable database for law enforcement and government planning.
3. Modernize Telecoms: Streamlining the adoption of 5G and eSIM technologies under a secure framework.