ACCRA, Ghana — Ghanaians will no longer need to queue at registration centers during the upcoming SIM card re-registration exercise, which is scheduled to begin in June.
The new system, announced Tuesday by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation Samuel Nartey George, introduces a fully online process that allows subscribers to register their SIM cards remotely.
An automated system will verify users’ information without the need for in-person visits or manual processing.
George made the announcement during a visit to Margins ID Group, operators of Intelligent Card Production Systems (ICPS), in Accra.
“The process will be entirely online, making it easier and quicker for citizens to complete their SIM re-registration,” George said in a Facebook post later that day. “This new system will put an end to the long queues and delays we experienced in the past. Subscribers will no longer have to physically visit any center. The system will automatically verify their identity using data from national records.”
The announcement follows challenges that plagued earlier phases of the SIM re-registration campaign, which began in 2021.
Under the policy, all mobile phone users are required to link their SIM cards to the Ghana Card, the national identification document.
Despite efforts by the government, a significant number of active SIM cards remained unregistered. The delays were partly blamed on limited access to the Ghana Card, especially in rural communities.
George acknowledged those setbacks and said the new digital system was developed in response to public concerns.
“This process removes the need for physical contact and is designed to prevent the backlogs we saw in the past,” George said.
With the launch set for June, the ministry is advising all mobile phone users to ensure they possess valid Ghana Cards to complete the process without difficulty.
George added that a public education campaign will begin in the coming weeks to guide citizens through the registration steps.