President John Dramani Mahama has criticised Ghana’s previous SIM card registration exercise, describing it as a failed initiative that subjected citizens to unnecessary difficulties without delivering reliable data outcomes.
Speaking in Sunyani as part of his “Resetting Ghana” tour on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the President said the earlier process lacked credibility due to poor coordination among key state institutions.
“If you recall, we were asked to re-register our SIM cards, and the process was very challenging. There was a disconnect between the authorities responsible, and in the end, it did not benefit Ghanaians. It was largely ineffective,” he stated.
His comments come on the back of a recent audit conducted by the National Communications Authority (NCA), which reportedly revealed significant inconsistencies in SIM registration data gathered between 2021 and 2023. According to the findings, there were no fingerprint matches when the data was compared with records from the national identity database, raising concerns about the integrity of the previous exercise.
President Mahama attributed the shortcomings to weak collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and the National Identification Authority (NIA), arguing that the lack of synergy undermined the entire process.
To address the situation, the President outlined plans for a new registration framework anchored on the Ghana Card as the primary means of identity verification for all mobile subscribers. The proposed system is expected to adopt a more technology-driven approach, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing the need for in-person registration.
The new framework is expected to focus on stronger institutional integration between the NCA and NIA to ensure that all SIM cards are linked to verified identities. It will also introduce digital channels that allow users to update their registration details remotely, eliminating long queues and delays associated with physical registration centres. In addition, the system is expected to enhance real-time biometric verification to improve data accuracy and curb identity-related fraud.
President Mahama stressed that the upcoming exercise is designed to prioritise convenience while ensuring that past mistakes are not repeated. He added that the “Resetting Ghana” initiative seeks to introduce a more reliable and streamlined system that will strengthen public confidence in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
The planned reforms mark a significant shift in the government’s approach to digital identity management, as authorities move to address gaps identified in the audit and improve the overall effectiveness of SIM registration in Ghana.
