|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has assured Ghanaians that the forthcoming SIM card registration will be efficient, user-friendly, and powered by advanced technology.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Wednesday, April 9, the Minister emphasized the government’s resolve to correct the flaws of the previous administration’s re-registration efforts. He highlighted the increase in SIM-related fraud following the earlier process and described it as a failed attempt that did not meet its intended goals.
Sam George criticized the prior government’s handling of the exercise, saying, “It was a botched re-registration exercise,” and pointed to its failure to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) as a major concern.
Outlining the new direction for the registration, he said the upcoming initiative would be “a human-centered, technology-driven exercise.” He promised a streamlined and hassle-free process for citizens across the country.
“It will happen so seamlessly and without stress that most Ghanaians will ask themselves why they were saddled with eight years of misrule and mismanagement,” he remarked confidently.
Background to SIM Re-registration
The SIM card re-registration initiative was first introduced in 2021 under the Akufo-Addo administration, aiming to link all SIM cards to the Ghana Card to enhance national security and combat fraud. However, the exercise was marred by logistical challenges, repeated deadline extensions, and widespread public frustration.
Despite several attempts to encourage compliance, millions of SIM cards remained unregistered. This led to concerns about data protection and the potential for fraudulent registrations, especially via the mobile app system introduced during the process.
The primary goal of the re-registration was to tighten security by limiting the use of unregistered SIM cards in criminal activity. It was also expected to provide a clean and verifiable database of active SIMs, thereby strengthening regulatory oversight and improving the overall safety of Ghana’s telecommunications sector.
With the relaunch of the initiative, Sam George’s ministry is promising a fresh start—one marked by innovation, transparency, and a strong focus on the user experience.
Email Daily Mail GH: stories@dailymailgh.com or
Whatsapp: +233(0)509928122
