Sam George Defends New SIM Registration Drive, Cites Consumer Protection and Security Concerns

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has defended the government’s decision to undertake a new SIM registration exercise, emphasizing that the initiative is focused on safeguarding consumers and improving national security systems.

Speaking to stakeholders, the Minister highlighted significant flaws in the current SIM database, warning that inaccuracies have placed innocent individuals at risk. He explained that cases of identity theft and data errors have led to situations where people are wrongly implicated in criminal activities.

According to him, security agencies have raised concerns about the credibility of existing data. He noted that law enforcement authorities often rely on SIM registration records to identify suspects, but inconsistencies in the database have resulted in wrongful arrests.

“The Minister for the Interior, who also serves as the Minister for National Security, has consistently called for a more reliable SIM register,” he said, adding that in some instances, cloned Ghana Cards have been used to register SIM cards linked to criminal acts.

Mr. George stressed that the new registration exercise is not driven by procurement interests, but rather by the urgent need to build an accurate and secure system. He pointed out that the government’s priority is to establish a credible database that protects users while providing dependable information to security agencies.

“At the core of this exercise is consumer protection and user confidence,” he stated, contrasting the current approach with previous registration efforts, which he suggested were overly focused on procurement processes.

The Minister further indicated that the government aims to develop a system jointly managed by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Identification Authority (NIA), ensuring long-term reliability and accountability.

He expressed confidence that, if properly implemented, the new SIM registration exercise would be the last of its kind, ultimately restoring public trust and reducing cases of identity misuse.