Ghana’s NCA Consults Industry on Upcoming SIM Registration Rules

The National Communications Authority (NCA)  held a stakeholder engagement on March 13, 2026, to review the draft Numbering Resource Registration Regulations. The session took place at the NCA Tower in Airport City and provided industry players and institutional representatives an opportunity to examine the draft regulations following previous rounds of feedback.

In his opening remarks, Director General Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko outlined the purpose of the exercise, highlighting its importance in the upcoming SIM registration initiative. He noted that previous registration efforts had not fully achieved their goals of reducing fraud and boosting public confidence in communications services. The current draft regulations aim to build on lessons learned from earlier exercises, making the process more efficient and convenient for the public while addressing previous challenges.

Stakeholders were invited to provide input on the draft regulations before the Legislative Instrument is passed. Discussions during the engagement covered a wide range of topics, including registration requirements for permanent residents, tourists, and foreigners; financial and operational considerations; limits on SIM cards per identification card; and the registration of minors and diplomats.

The session was attended by senior NCA officials, including Deputy Director General for Technical Operations Mr. Suleman Salifu, as well as representatives from the National Identification Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Consumer Protection Agency, CUTS International Ghana, and various mobile network operators (MNOs).

In closing, Ing. Fianko expressed gratitude for stakeholder contributions, noting that the feedback would strengthen the regulations and enhance the management of numbering resources across Ghana’s communications industry.