Sam George engages Telecom CEOs on new SIM registration and 5G rollout plans
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has held high-level talks with leaders of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, chief executives of major telecom companies and officials of the National Communications Authority (NCA) on plans to conduct a new nationwide SIM card re-registration exercise and advance the rollout of 5G technology in Ghana.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, brought together key industry stakeholders, including MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett, Telecel Ghana CEO Patricia Obo-Nai, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications CEO Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, and NCA Director-General Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, as well as senior representatives from the Ministry and the regulator.
Discussions centred on Cabinet-approved reforms aimed at improving national security, strengthening service delivery within the telecommunications sector and advancing Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
New SIM registration exercise
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister announced that Cabinet has approved a completely new SIM registration exercise following a comprehensive review of the previous one.
He explained that the earlier process encountered several challenges, including weak biometric verification, inconsistencies in data records and instances of registration fraud.
Mr. George stressed that the upcoming exercise will not simply continue the old system but will represent a complete reset designed to restore credibility and enhance security within the SIM registration database.
Under the proposed system, the National Communications Authority will act as the central database for SIM registration information, while biometric verification will be mandatory for all subscribers.
The plan also includes the introduction of a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to enable telecom operators to block stolen or fraud-related mobile devices across networks. A revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is also being prepared to guide the new registration process.
Industry leaders welcomed efforts to strengthen the system but raised some operational concerns that would need to be addressed during implementation.
5G policy changes and spectrum auction
On the deployment of 5G technology, the Minister revealed that Cabinet has approved the removal of the exclusivity clause that existed under the previous wholesale 5G framework.
This decision opens the door for a new competitive spectrum auction process.
He explained that although the wholesale model has not been entirely discarded, the updated framework will allow operators to deploy their own networks, with the aim of ensuring broader and more balanced nationwide coverage.
Key aspects of the plan include a forthcoming 5G spectrum auction and a coordinated rollout strategy intended to prevent distortions within the telecommunications market.
Industry executives pointed out that deploying 5G infrastructure requires significant financial investment in spectrum acquisition, network upgrades and expanded infrastructure.
They therefore called for reasonable spectrum pricing, clear policy guidance and faster regulatory approvals to support a smooth rollout.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to begin structured technical discussions between the Ministry, the National Communications Authority, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and telecom operators to refine the implementation details for both the SIM registration exercise and the 5G spectrum auction framework.
Immediate next steps include finalising the revised Legislative Instrument and releasing documentation for the upcoming spectrum auction.
Participants described the engagement as a renewed collaboration between government and industry as Ghana prepares to enter a new phase of digital regulation and next-generation connectivity.
About The Author
