The government has announced stricter penalties under a new SIM registration regime, including the blocking of Ghana Cards linked to repeated mobile money fraud and the disabling of stolen mobile phones across all networks.
The measures were outlined at a stakeholder engagement on the upcoming SIM registration held in Accra on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations.
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, said any subscriber whose Ghana Card is used more than once for fraudulent SIM registration linked to mobile money fraud would be barred from accessing telecommunications services.
“If the same Ghana Card is found to be involved in more than one fraudulent registration of a number used in mobile money fraud, that Ghana Card will be blocked and barred from being able to register a SIM in the country,” he said.
“Which means that you can no longer get telecom services.”
He explained that the sanctions would have far-reaching consequences, as the Ghana Card is required for most public services.
“Today, almost every government service requires your Ghana Card. So the cost to mobile money fraudsters is being raised to a level that will make it prohibitive,” he said.
He urged the public to safeguard their personal data and refrain from registering SIM cards on behalf of others.
“I beseech all consumers, protect your personal identity. Don’t register SIMs for someone else,” he said.
The Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, announced the introduction of a Central Equipment Identity Register to combat mobile phone theft.
Under the system, mobile devices will be assigned a status. Devices cleared for use will carry a green status, those with issues will be marked yellow and given time for resolution, while blocked devices will carry a red status and will be unable to connect to any network.
“The objective is to have a system that allows stolen or illegal mobile phones to be blocked from all networks,” Rev. Fianko said. “There will be no incentive to take somebody’s phone.”
He said the system would integrate the equipment registers of all mobile network operators into a single national database, preventing stolen devices from being used across different networks.
Primary number verification
Mr George also announced the introduction of a primary number system to curb SIM registration abuses.
Under the arrangement, a subscriber’s primary number will be used to approve any additional SIM registration linked to the same Ghana Card through a one-time password.
“Once you have confirmed, you can’t deny the registration,” he said. “So don’t do it for somebody else.”
Rev. Fianko added that the system would apply to Ghanaians both at home and abroad, provided they are able to verify their identity.
Procurement and funding
On procurement, Mr George dismissed claims that a contract had already been awarded to a private company, stressing that the process remains before the Public Procurement Authority and no service provider has been selected.
“How did I award a contract to a company?” he said. “If anyone can show one page of a contract, I will resign as minister.”
He added that no public funds would be used to pay the technical provider, explaining that the cost of SIM registration, including biometric verification with the National Identification Authority, would be borne by mobile network operators.
“The NCA will not pay a pesewa to the technical provider. It will be part of arrangements between the regulator and the operators,” he said.
Expanding access to Ghana Card
The Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority, Mr Wisdom Kwaku Deku, said registration teams would work alongside mobile network operators to improve access.
He noted that individuals without Ghana Cards would be able to register and obtain one at the same location, particularly in rural communities.
Mr Deku said the Authority now operates 294 district offices nationwide, compared with seven during the previous exercise, and that about 90 per cent of Ghanaians now possess Ghana Cards.
He added that additional registration points would include Ghana Post offices and Community Information Centres under the One Million Coders programme.
Legal framework pending
Mr George said the new Legislative Instrument governing the exercise has not yet been laid before Parliament and that the registration would only commence after completing the required 21-day process.
“For me, anything that doesn’t have a legal framework is illegal. We are not starting until the legal framework is in place,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the exercise would begin this year (2026).
Under the new regime, Ghanaians will be required to register SIM cards using the Ghana Card, while foreign residents must present a non-citizen Ghana Card. Tourists will be issued SIM cards valid for 90 days.
Rev. Fianko urged the media to support public education on the new system.
“You are the means for us to reach the masses. Please communicate clearly and sensitise the public,” he said.
