News
New SIM registration system to curb mobile money fraud- Sam George
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced a new SIM card registration system aimed at making the process easier for citizens while tackling mobile money fraud.
According to the minister, the new system has been designed to avoid the difficulties many Ghanaians experienced during the previous registration exercise between 2021 and 2023.
He gave the remarks on Tuesday, March 24, on Metro TV Ghana.
According to him, President John Dramani Mahama insisted that the process must be convenient and stress-free.
“He made it clear that this exercise should not put Ghanaians through the hassle and discomfort they went through before,” he said.
He explained that under the new system, people with smartphones will be able to register their SIM cards using their own devices.
He said the process will involve facial recognition technology, similar to how users unlock their phones.
The Minister added that the system will connect directly to the database of the National Identification Authority to verify users in real time. He stressed that no biometric data will be stored by third parties.
“We are not taking anybody’s biometrics. We are only verifying in real time against the database,” he said.
He noted that once a person registers a primary phone number, any attempt to register another SIM using their Ghana Card will require a one-time password (OTP) sent to that primary number. This, he said, will prevent fraudsters from using other people’s details.
Mr. George also revealed that the government is introducing a Central Equipment Identity Register to link SIM cards, mobile devices and Ghana Cards.
He explained that each mobile device has a unique identification number, known as an IMEI, which will be tied to the SIM card and the user’s Ghana Card.
“This gives us a full picture of who is using which number and on what device,” he said.
He added that the new system will allow authorities to take stronger action against mobile money fraud.
He said once a fraud case is confirmed, both the SIM card and the device used can be blocked.
Currently, he noted, fraudsters can easily replace blocked SIM cards at a low cost and continue their activities.
However, blocking the device will make it more difficult and expensive for them to operate.
He further disclosed that individuals linked to fraud could have their Ghana Cards flagged or blacklisted after repeated offences. He said this could restrict their access to services such as banking, healthcare and driver’s licensing.
“That is the price people must pay if they choose to engage in fraud,” he said.
The Minister assured Ghanaians living abroad that they will be able to complete the registration process using a mobile app, without the need to travel to Ghana.
He added that a USSD option will be available for people without smartphones, while support centres will assist those who need help with verification.
Mr. George said the new system is part of efforts to sanitise the telecommunications space and protect citizens and businesses from fraud.
He urged the public not to register SIM cards for people they do not know, warning that they could face serious consequences if those numbers are used for criminal activities.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
