Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced a new initiative to combat mobile money fraud by linking SIM cards to mobile phones through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
Mobile money fraud in Ghana has been increasingly associated with SIM swapping, where fraudsters forge Ghana Cards to obtain duplicate SIMs and hijack accounts. Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Minister George emphasized that the CEIR will ensure that both SIM cards and mobile devices are registered, making it harder for criminals to commit fraud.
“People are using SIM cards for illegal activities, so we are now registering SIM cards with the phones. If a number is flagged for fraud, both the SIM and the phone will be blocked,” he explained. The Minister added that linking a phone’s IMEI to its SIM will improve traceability and raise the cost of committing fraud, making it less attractive to perpetrators.
The policy also integrates Ghana’s National Identification Authority biometric database to verify legitimate users, ensuring that SIM cards are tied to authentic identities. The CEIR system will track stolen or counterfeit devices, enhancing security across the digital financial ecosystem.
Minister George noted that mobile money fraud has caused significant financial losses, with the Bank of Ghana reporting 13,451 cases of financial fraud in 2023, 20% of which were tied to mobile money. He stated that this new measure aims to boost trust in digital transactions, improve accountability, and protect consumers.