The Minister-nominee for Communications, Digitalisation, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has strongly criticized the former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration for its decision to re-register SIM cards. During his vetting before the Appointment Committee, Sam George expressed his disapproval of the directive, stating that it lacked common sense and was counterproductive since Ghanaians’ biometrics were already captured in the national repository of the National Identification Authority (NIA).
Describing the move as the “highest order of wickedness,” Sam George emphasized the unnecessary burden placed on Ghanaians to queue for long hours and resubmit their biometrics. He highlighted the existence of the NIA database as a national repository of biometric data, questioning the need for a redundant SIM card re-registration process.
In response to the situation, the minister-designate revealed plans to conduct a new SIM registration exercise, ensuring that it would not incur any costs for taxpayers or the public purse. He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to cross-reference data held by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the NIA database and other biometric databases to streamline the process and eliminate the need for physical queues.
The re-registration of SIM cards was initiated by the previous administration in October 2021 under the leadership of former Minister of Communications Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. The objective was to enhance cybersecurity, monitor digital activities, and track down individuals engaged in criminal activities using mobile phones.
Sam George’s stance against the SIM card re-registration process reflects a commitment to leveraging existing resources and technology to achieve the desired outcomes without imposing unnecessary burdens on citizens. His proposed approach aligns with the principles of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technological innovation in addressing cybersecurity challenges in the digital age.
