You will be blacklisted for registering SIM cards for others — Sam George

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has cautioned that Ghanaians who register SIM cards on behalf of others could face severe penalties, including being blacklisted from essential public and financial services under a new digital security framework.

Speaking in an interview on ChannelOne TV, the Minister revealed that government is rolling out a stricter SIM registration regime that will directly link biometric data from the Ghana Card to individual mobile devices, making it significantly harder for fraudsters to operate undetected.

He explained that the new system is designed to eliminate the growing black market for pre-registered SIM cards, where individuals purchase already activated numbers registered under unknown identities. According to him, such practices will be curtailed once the upgraded system becomes fully operational.

Under the proposed framework, SIM cards, mobile devices, and Ghana Card details will be integrated into a centralised monitoring system to enhance tracking of fraudulent activities.

Mr George noted that unlike the current arrangement, where offenders can easily discard blocked SIM cards and acquire new ones, the new system will extend sanctions beyond SIM cards to the devices themselves.

He disclosed that any mobile device linked to fraudulent activity will be blocked using its unique identification number, rendering the handset unusable and increasing the cost of engaging in such crimes.

Additionally, the system will introduce a colour-coded compliance mechanism. Users with clean records will be classified as “green,” while those linked to suspicious activity will be flagged “yellow.” A second confirmed offence tied to a Ghana Card will result in a “red” status, effectively placing the individual on a blacklist.

The Minister stressed that even individuals who do not directly commit fraud could face consequences if they register SIM cards for others who later engage in criminal activity.

He warned that once a Ghana Card is blacklisted, the holder may be denied access to key services such as banking, driver’s licence renewal, and healthcare that requires identity verification.

“We are raising the cost for fraud,” he stated, urging the public to avoid registering SIM cards for third parties.

Mr George added that the new system will strengthen accountability across Ghana’s digital space by ensuring that every SIM card is traceable to a verified individual and device, thereby supporting efforts to combat mobile money fraud and related offences.

He reiterated the need for caution, warning that allowing one’s identity to be used for SIM registration could result in unintended legal consequences, even for those not directly involved in criminal activity.