SIM registration not a silver bullet for fraud, warns telecoms CEO

As the government gears up for a third nationwide SIM registration exercise, the head of Ghana’s telecoms industry body has issued a stark warning: registering SIM cards alone will not stop fraud.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, has cautioned against viewing the upcoming registration exercise as a standalone solution to the country’s mobile money fraud epidemic.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Ms. Owusu-Ankomah argued that while linking SIM cards to the national identification database strengthens accountability, it does not address the core tactics used by criminals.

She explained that the majority of mobile-related scams are driven by “social engineering”—a tactic where fraudsters manipulate victims by impersonating trusted figures or institutions to extract confidential information.

“SIM registration alone cannot end fraud,” Ms. Owusu-Ankomah stated. She stressed that safeguarding personal identification numbers (PINs) remains one of the most critical lines of defense for consumers. “Protecting your PIN is paramount. No amount of registration will help if individuals give away their secure details,” she added.

Her comments come just as the government prepares to launch its third large-scale SIM registration drive, following recent approval from Cabinet. The upcoming exercise aims to refine the current regulatory framework and further biometrically link all SIM cards to the Ghana Card database.

Ms. Owusu-Ankomah noted that the true value of the exercise lies in traceability. By ensuring every number is biometrically tied to a specific individual, authorities can more effectively track and prosecute criminals who use mobile networks for illegal activities. It creates a chain of accountability that did not exist previously.

However, she warned subscribers against a common but dangerous practice: buying pre-registered SIM cards. She emphasized that if a SIM is registered in someone else’s name, the person whose name is on the registration could be held legally responsible for any fraudulent activity conducted through that number. “Ensure the SIM you are using is registered in your own name. If it is used for a crime, you will be held liable,” she cautioned.

Her remarks resonate with the concerns of the general public, particularly mobile money users who continue to fall victim to scams. Despite previous mass registration campaigns, reports of mobile money fraud and cyber-related scams remain common, leading to significant financial losses for many Ghanaians.

A trader, Diana Opoku, voiced the hopes of many consumers, stating that the public will only consider the re-registration exercise a success if it translates into a tangible reduction in fraud. “If this exercise will finally reduce the mobile money fraud and online scams we hear about every day, then it is welcome. We need to see the security improve,” Ms. Opoku said.