The Communication Minister, Samuel Nartey George, has revealed that Cabinet has approved a completely new SIM registration exercise following what he described as an extensive review of the previous process.

According to the Minister, the earlier exercise faced several challenges, including weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies and cases of registration fraud.

He disclosed this during high-level talks with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority (NCA). The meeting discussed the planned new national SIM registration exercise and the roadmap for the rollout of 5G in Ghana.

Mr George stressed that the new approach will not be a continuation of the previous system but a complete reset aimed at restoring credibility and strengthening security in the process.

Details and outcomes of new SIM registration

During the meeting, the Minister outlined key elements and expected outcomes of the new SIM registration exercise.

He disclosed that the National Communications Authority will serve as the central repository of SIM registration data. Biometric verification will also be mandatory under the new framework.

“A Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) will be introduced to enable cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices,” the Minister added.

He further revealed that “a revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is being prepared to regulate the exercise.”

Telecom operators who participated in the meeting welcomed the initiative but raised some operational concerns.

However, it is not yet clear when the new registration exercise will commence or who will bear the cost of implementing it.

The planned exercise will mark the second nationwide SIM registration drive after a similar exercise in 2021, which the current administration says was plagued by several challenges.

Government’s 5G policy and new spectrum auction

On 5G deployment, the Minister disclosed that Cabinet has approved the removal of the exclusivity clause under the previous wholesale 5G framework.

This decision clears the way for a new competitive spectrum auction process.

Mr George clarified that the wholesale model has not been cancelled. Instead, the revised framework will enable a network-based rollout to ensure universal deployment across operators.

Among the key highlights is a new 5G spectrum auction, which is expected to be concluded soon.

The rollout is also expected to be coordinated to prevent market distortion within the telecommunications sector.

Some telecom operators at the meeting, however, highlighted the capital-intensive nature of 5G technology. They noted that deployment will require significant investment in spectrum acquisition, network upgrades and infrastructure expansion.

The operators called for reasonable spectrum pricing, predictable policy direction and streamlined regulatory approvals to enable rapid deployment.

The meeting also focused on Cabinet-approved reforms aimed at strengthening national security, improving quality of service and accelerating Ghana’s digital transformation.

It ended with an agreement on structured technical engagements between the Ministry, the NCA, the Telecoms Chamber and telecom operators to refine the implementation framework for both the SIM registration exercise and the 5G spectrum auction.

Immediate next steps include finalising the revised Legislative Instrument and publishing the auction documentation.