<p><br></p><p>Speaking on the new registration regime, the Minister explained that unlike the previous exercise, the new system will authenticate every subscriber's identity in real time by cross-checking biometric information with records held by the NIA.</p><p>According to Mr. George, the previous SIM registration exercise failed to properly verify the biometric data collected, leaving weaknesses that allowed fraudulent registrations to persist. He said the government has since begun cleaning and synchronising the biometric data gathered during the earlier exercise with the NIA database as part of preparations for the new registration system.</p><p>The Minister disclosed that the new process will feature facial recognition technology and a "liveness test" to ensure that registrants are physically present during verification, making it more difficult for fraudsters to use stolen identities or photocopied Ghana Cards. He stressed that the system will verify users against the NIA database in real time rather than storing new biometric information with third parties.</p><p>Mr. George also revealed that smartphone users will be able to complete the registration from home, while USSD services, Ghana Post offices, Community Information Centres and designated registration centres will be available to assist those without smartphones or those requiring in-person support.<br></p><p>The government says the enhanced registration exercise forms part of broader efforts to sanitise Ghana's telecommunications sector, reduce mobile money fraud and improve digital security. The nationwide rollout is expected to commence after the necessary legal framework is approved by Parliament and procurement processes are completed.</p><p>Photo credit: ghanaiantimes.com, Hon. Sam George</p>