The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that the cost of re-registering SIM cards will be borne by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The process will be technologically engineered by the MNOs, the National Communications Authority (NCA), and the National Identification Authority (NIA).
Speaking during his vetting before the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, Mr. George emphasized that the new process would be more efficient and technology-driven, eliminating the long queues that characterized the previous exercise.
“There will be costs, but these will be covered by the MNOs. It is in their own interest to ensure they have a clean and verifiable SIM register. If they cannot properly identify the users of their SIM cards, they risk incurring fines from the NCA. Therefore, they would rather invest in a proper identity verification system than face penalties,” he stated.
The Minister assured that no Ghanaian would lose their SIM card due to the re-registration process. Instead, the exercise will be a seamless, technology-driven collaboration between the NCA, the MNOs, and the NIA. Individuals with discrepancies in their records will be notified and directed to visit their respective service providers for resolution.
Criticism of previous SIM re-registration approach
In 2022, the previous government conducted a SIM re-registration exercise requiring cardholders to visit MNO offices to link their SIM cards with their Ghana Cards. Failure to comply resulted in SIM card blockages and service disruptions.
Criticizing the past approach, Mr. George described it as inefficient, pledging a more logical and seamless process.
“We will conduct a proper SIM re-registration again. This time, there will be no queues because we will apply common sense and leverage technology to make the process smoother,” he assured.
He reiterated that the exercise was in the best interest of Ghanaians, ensuring a more secure and reliable telecommunications system while enhancing national security and preventing fraud.
Commitment to Efficiency and Innovation
The Minister further assured the Committee that, under his leadership, the Ministry would prioritize efficiency and innovation in all digital initiatives, including SIM registration, to build a more robust and inclusive telecommunications sector.
Meanwhile, he addressed concerns about MTN Ghana’s designation as a Significant Market Power (SMP), accusing the previous administration of using it as a punitive measure rather than a corrective tool.
“The SMP framework is meant to ensure fair competition, not to punish an investor who has made substantial contributions to our economy. Since MTN was declared an SMP, its market share has actually grown, which shows that the approach was ineffective in addressing market distortions,” he noted.
Under the Mahama administration, he pledged to use the SMP framework as a corrective measure rather than a punitive tool, ensuring fair competition while maintaining an equitable playing field for all industry players.
“Our goal is to create a competitive environment where customers have multiple options and enjoy better services. The SMP will be used to ensure fairness, not to unfairly target any specific company,” he explained.
By Eugene Davis
