Minister meets Telecoms Chamber, MNOs, NCA over fresh SIM registration and 5G rollout plans

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The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has held high-level talks with the leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Chief Executives of MTN Ghana (Stephen Blewett) and Telecel Ghana (Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai), as well as leadership of the National Communications Authority (NCA), to deliberate on the announced new national SIM registration exercise and the roadmap for 5G deployment in Ghana.

The meeting, also attended by the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, NCA Director-General Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko and senior Ministry and NCA officials, focused on Cabinet-approved reforms aimed at strengthening national security, improving quality of service, and accelerating Ghana’s digital transformation

Fresh SIM registration exercise approved

Addressing participants of the meeting, the Minister disclosed that Cabinet has approved the completely new SIM registration exercise following what he described as an extensive review of the previous process.

According to him, the earlier exercise suffered significant challenges, including weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies, and registration fraud among others. He stressed that the new approach would not be a continuation of the old system but a reset designed to ensure credibility and security

Under the new framework:

  • The NCA will serve as the central repository of SIM registration data.
  • Biometric verification will be mandatory.
  • A Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) will be introduced to enable cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices.
  • A revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is being prepared to regulate back the exercise

Industry leaders, while supporting the objective of strengthening the system, raised some operational concerns.

5G policy reset and spectrum auction

On 5G, the Minister revealed that Cabinet has approved the removal of the exclusivity clause under the previous wholesale 5G framework, paving the way for a new competitive spectrum auction process

He clarified that the wholesale model has not been cancelled but that the new framework will allow network-based rollout, with the objective of ensuring universal deployment across operators.

Among the key highlights:

  • A new 5G spectrum auction is expected to be concluded soon.
  • The rollout is expected to be coordinated to prevent market distortion.

Industry leaders underscored the capital-intensive nature of 5G, noting that deployment will require significant spectrum acquisition costs, network upgrades and infrastructure expansion. They called for reasonable pricing, predictable policy direction and streamlined regulatory approvals to enable rapid deployment.

Collaborative path forward

The meeting concluded with agreement on structured technical engagements between the Ministry, NCA, Telecoms Chamber and operators to refine implementation modalities for both the SIM registration exercise and the 5G auction framework.

Immediate next steps include finalising the revised L.I., and publishing auction documentation.

The engagement signals what participants described as a renewed collaborative approach between government and industry as Ghana prepares for a new phase of digital regulation and next-generation connectivity.

Stephen Blewett Named New Chairperson of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications

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Accra, Ghana – August 28, 2025 – Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. This marks a significant leadership transition, with the immediate past Chairperson, Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana, stepping into the role of Vice-Chairperson.

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The appointments were made at the 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Chamber earlier this month, where members reviewed the industry’s progress and challenges. Blewett’s one-year tenure as Chairperson will focus on steering the Chamber through a period of rapid digital transformation and regulatory evolution, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address pressing issues and drive sustainable growth.

The leadership renewal comes amid a host of challenges facing Ghana’s telecommunications sector, including theft of active infrastructure, vandalism at cell sites, destruction of fibre optic cables, high taxation, hike in fees and cybersecurity threats.

In his acceptance address at the AGM, Mr. Blewett thanked the outgoing Chairperson for the outstanding work done. He also highlighted the need for unified action to ensure the industry’s resilience. “The telecommunications sector is the backbone of Ghana’s digital economy, but the challenges we face demand collective ingenuity and partnership. We must bind together to surmount these obstacles and ensure sustained growth,” he stated.

As Chairperson, Mr. Blewett is expected to lead advocacy efforts in collaboration with the CEO of the Chamber, on key policy matters, enhance industry-government relations, and promote innovation in areas like digital inclusion and cybersecurity. His role will involve chairing bi-monthly Governing Council meetings, overseeing strategic initiatives, and representing the Chamber in national and international forums. With his extensive experience at MTN Ghana, Mr. Blewett is poised to drive initiatives that mitigate infrastructure vulnerabilities and support economic development.

Madame Patricia Obo-Nai, now Vice-Chairperson, expressed optimism about the new leadership. “It’s been a difficult time over the past couple of years due to severalchallenges, but we’ve stood strong. The times ahead require us to work collectively, and I’m confident Stephen’s vision will guide us forward,” she said.

The AGM also saw the adoption of the Chamber’s 2024 Financial Statement and authorization for the Governing Council to set auditor remuneration. The Governing Council, which serves as the Chamber’s board of directors, includes heads of member organizations and the CEO.

Source: Chamber News Desk