GOV'T TO ROLL OUT NEW BIOMETRIC SIM REGISTRATION EXERCISE

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is set to undertake an entirely new biometric SIM registration exercise to strengthen the integrity and security of Ghana’s telecommunications ecosystem.

This was disclosed by the Minister, Samuel Nartey George, when he appeared before Parliament on Tuesday to answer questions on the rationale behind the fresh exercise.

According to the Communication Minister, the previous SIM registration exercise required all SIM cards to be linked to verified identities through biometric verification against the NIA database. However, he said the biometric data collected was not subjected to real-time verification with the NIA database.

“As a result, some individuals were able to register SIM cards using false, stolen or unverifiable identities,” he stated. The Minister noted that because of this, the previous exercise did not fully achieve its intended objectives and systemic weaknesses continue to undermine the national SIM register.

Mr. George outlined four main reasons for the new exercise:

1. Incomplete biometric verification 
He said subscriber records were not verified in real time against the NIA database, which limited the ability to establish a fully verified and traceable subscriber database.

2. Rising incidents of fraud and cyber crime
The Minister cited exploitation of weaknesses in the current system through SIM swap fraud, mobile money fraud, identity theft, registration of SIMs with impersonated identities, and the sale and use of pre-registered SIM cards.

3. Introduction of real-time biometric authentication  
Under the new framework, no SIM card or numbering resource will be activated unless the subscriber’s identity is successfully verified in real time against the national identification database. “This will ensure that every active number in Ghana is linked to a verified and traceable identity,” he explained.

4. New security features
The Minister said the new exercise will introduce several safeguards including:  
- Real-time electronic biometric verification  
- Self-registration capability for both physical SIM and e-SIM services  
- Designation of a primary number for authentication  
- Remote SIM de-linking  
- Device verification through the Central Equipment Identity Register  
- Real-time validation of corporate registration and diplomatic identification documents  
- Stronger fraud prevention mechanisms

Hon. Sam Nartey George said the new _Electronic Communication Numbering Resource Registration_ is intended to address current vulnerabilities, improve customer protection and enhance national security.