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The Government has unveiled tougher measures under an updated SIM registration framework aimed at tackling mobile money fraud and the growing issue of stolen mobile phones. The announcement was made during a stakeholder engagement in Accra on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, hosted by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations.
Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, revealed that individuals whose Ghana Cards are found to be repeatedly used in fraudulent SIM registrations connected to mobile money scams will be permanently blocked from accessing telecom services.
“Any Ghana Card involved in more than one fraudulent registration related to mobile money fraud will be flagged, blocked, and prevented from registering a new SIM,” George confirmed.
He stressed that the new sanctions are designed to significantly raise the cost of engaging in fraud, as the Ghana Card is now a vital requirement for accessing many public services.
“Most government services now require the Ghana Card, so the penalty for fraud becomes much harsher,” he explained, urging citizens to safeguard their personal details and avoid registering SIM cards on behalf of others.
In a parallel move, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), introduced the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). This new system will classify mobile devices into three categories: green for approved devices, yellow for those pending verification, and red for blocked devices that cannot be used on any network.
“The goal is to ensure that stolen or unauthorized mobile phones are completely blocked from all networks,” Fianko stated, emphasizing that the system will integrate data from all mobile network providers into a unified national platform.
Additionally, the updated SIM registration process will introduce a primary number verification system. Any new SIM registration linked to a Ghana Card will require approval via a one-time password sent to the subscriber’s primary number.
“Once confirmed, the registration is irreversible, so it’s crucial that people don’t register SIM cards for others,” Minister George cautioned.
Both the Ministry and the NCA assert that these measures will apply to Ghanaians both locally and abroad, as long as they can verify their identities, strengthening oversight and improving security within the telecommunications sector.
Story :Efua Nessa
Source :Loco tv