The Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority, Yayra Koku, has assured Ghanaians that the upcoming nationwide SIM card registration exercise will be smoother and more secure as authorities work to correct shortcomings from the previous process.
According to him, the NIA is working closely with the National Communications Authority to ensure that the new registration system integrates biometric verification directly with the national identity database.
The approach is intended to enhance accuracy, strengthen security and help security agencies identify the actual owners of SIM cards. “With the new SIM card registration, all subscribers will be required to perform biometric verification against the National Identity System,” Mr Koku explained.
He noted that the earlier registration exercise did not fully implement biometric authentication against the national database, leaving room for data inconsistencies and identity-related challenges.
The enhanced system, he said, will provide security agencies with more reliable information when investigating crimes linked to mobile phone usage, including mobile money fraud and other digital scams.
Addressing Weaknesses in Previous Registration
The new SIM registration exercise follows a decision by the government of President John Dramani Mahama to introduce a completely redesigned nationwide registration framework.
Cabinet approved the initiative after a comprehensive review of the previous registration conducted in 2021 and 2022. Authorities concluded that the earlier exercise was affected by data inconsistencies, fraudulent registrations and weak biometric enforcement.
The new framework is therefore designed to tighten verification procedures and strengthen the link between SIM cards and verified identities within the National Identification System.
Officials say the reform is intended to create a more reliable telecommunications identification system that can support law enforcement while also improving public trust in digital services such as mobile money.
Remote Registration to Reduce Queues
One of the key improvements in the upcoming exercise is the introduction of remote registration options for the majority of subscribers. Mr Koku explained that between sixty and seventy percent of individuals who previously registered their SIM cards will not be required to visit telecommunications service centres.
Instead, they will be able to authenticate their information remotely using a secure digital platform connected to the National Identification Authority database.
“Sixty to seventy percent of those who registered during the previous SIM registration will not have to go to the telcos again. They will be able to register from the comfort of their own homes using a secure link or application to authenticate against the NIA system.”
Yayra Koku, Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA)
This digital self service option is expected to significantly reduce congestion at telecommunications outlets and eliminate the long queues that characterised earlier registration exercises.
For subscribers who still need to complete the process physically, the authorities plan to introduce an appointment system to manage the flow of visitors to telecom service centres. “The rest of us who need to visit the telcos to register must make an appointment online,” Mr Koku noted.
Mandatory Biometric Verification
A major feature of the new registration framework is the introduction of mandatory live biometric verification for all SIM registrations. Subscribers will be required to verify their identities using biometric markers such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
These biometric details will be authenticated directly against the national identity database maintained by the NIA. Authorities believe that this step will close the loopholes that previously allowed individuals to register SIM cards using incorrect or unverifiable identity details.
The improved verification process is also expected to enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to track criminal activities carried out using mobile devices.
Linking SIM Cards to Mobile Devices
In addition to biometric verification, the new system will introduce a Central Equipment Identity Register that links SIM cards to the unique International Mobile Equipment Identity number of mobile devices.
The register will allow authorities to track and block stolen phones or devices associated with fraudulent activities across all telecommunications networks.
Once a device is flagged within the system, it can be disabled nationwide, preventing it from being used with any network operator. Officials say the system will help curb phone theft while also strengthening the broader digital security framework within the telecommunications sector.
The implementation of the new SIM registration exercise is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The Ministry responsible for communications, led by Hon. Samuel Nartey George, is currently finalizing a revised Legislative Instrument that will govern the process.
The updated regulations will provide the legal framework for biometric verification, data management and operational guidelines for telecommunications companies involved in the exercise.
The ministry is also engaging with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications to refine the technical and operational arrangements for the rollout.
The National Communications Authority will serve as the central repository for all SIM registration data, ensuring stronger oversight and improved security for the information collected.
Improving Security and Public Confidence
Mr Koku believes the collaboration between the National Identification Authority and the National Communications Authority will help create a more reliable and secure SIM registration system.
By combining biometric verification, digital self service options and stronger regulatory oversight, authorities hope to build a telecommunications identification system capable of supporting both security operations and the growing digital economy.
For millions of mobile phone users across the country, the new system is expected to offer a more convenient registration process while strengthening protections against fraud and identity misuse.
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