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New SIM registration system to curb mobile money fraud- Sam George
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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
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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