The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has assured Ghanaians that the upcoming SIM card registration exercise will not subject them to the long queues and difficulties experienced during the previous exercise under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, Mr George said President John Dramani Mahama would not hesitate to dismiss him if he subjected Ghanaians to similar difficulties.
He said the President had made it clear that the new registration process must not replicate the challenges citizens faced during the previous exercise.
Mr George disclosed that the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) governing the new SIM registration exercise had matured in Parliament, while the process had also been piloted with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
He explained that the new system would allow Ghanaians with smartphones to register their SIM cards from the comfort of their homes, reducing the need for physical visits to registration centres.
The minister expressed confidence that the exercise would be rolled out before the end of 2026.
According to Mr George, the new registration system will link SIM cards to users’ Ghanacards as part of efforts to make the process more seamless.
He said the exercise was expected to be easier than the previous one, pointing to the widespread availability of Ghanacards across the country.
The minister estimated that about 95 per cent of Ghanaians had Ghanacards, which he said would help facilitate the registration process.
He contrasted this with the previous exercise under the NPP administration, when challenges surrounding the rollout of the Ghanacard complicated the process.
Mr George’s assurance comes as the government prepares to introduce the new SIM registration framework, with the stated aim of making registration more convenient for subscribers and avoiding the queues associated with the earlier exercise.
