The Government of Ghana is introducing tougher measures under the SIM re-registration framework to tackle mobile money fraud and mobile phone theft.

The policy was announced at a stakeholder engagement held in Accra on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, organised by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations.

What should be the consequences if SIM re-registration fails? – Solomon Owusu asks Sam George

Addressing participants, the sector minister, Samuel Nartey George, said individuals whose Ghana Cards are repeatedly linked to fraudulent SIM registrations, especially those tied to mobile money scams, will face strict sanctions, including being blocked from accessing telecom services.

“If the same Ghana Card is found to be involved in more than one fraudulent registration linked to mobile money fraud, that Ghana Card will be blocked and barred from registering a SIM,” he stated.

He explained that the move is intended to make it more difficult and costly for fraudsters to operate, especially as the Ghana Card has become a key requirement for accessing many public services.

“Today, almost every government service requires your Ghana Card, so the penalty becomes very severe,” he added, urging citizens to safeguard their personal information and avoid registering SIM cards on behalf of others.

As part of broader efforts to enhance security, the Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, announced the introduction of a Central Equipment Identity Register to help combat phone theft.

Under this system, mobile devices will be classified using a colour-coded approach—green for approved devices, yellow for those pending verification, and red for blocked devices that will not be able to connect to any network.

“The aim is to ensure that stolen or illegal mobile phones cannot be used on any network,” he said, adding that the system will integrate data from all mobile network operators into one national platform.

The new framework will also introduce a primary number verification system, where any additional SIM registration linked to a Ghana Card must be approved via a one-time password sent to the user’s main number.

“Once you approve it, you cannot deny the registration, so people must avoid doing this for others,” the minister cautioned.

Here's what NCA found in SIM card registration audit

The Ministry and the NCA say the new measures will apply to Ghanaians both at home and abroad, provided they can verify their identity, and are expected to strengthen oversight, reduce fraud, and improve overall security within the telecommunications sector.

NA/VPO

Children of a popular pastor identified as victims of the tragic Tema helicopter crash