Economist Urges Parliament to Reject Proposed SIM Re-Registration

A senior economist has criticized the Ghanaian government’s plan to reintroduce a nationwide SIM card re-registration exercise, calling it financially irresponsible and redundant.

Dr. Frank Bannor, a research fellow at the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), argued that the previous registration initiative, conducted under the prior administration, achieved its goals without requiring additional public expenditure.

In a statement circulated to media outlets, Dr. Bannor questioned the rationale behind the proposed exercise, noting that millions of taxpayer funds were already spent on the initial registration. “The previous government executed a successful SIM registration program. Why should we spend scarce resources redoing it?” he asked. He urged Parliament to block the move, warning it would strain Ghana’s limited fiscal reserves. “This profligacy must not be tolerated. Parliament should vehemently reject this wasteful plan,” he emphasized.

The economist dismissed claims that a new registration drive is necessary, suggesting existing gaps could be addressed through technological upgrades rather than a full-scale re-registration. “If there are loopholes, fix them with technology. Do not discard what’s already been done,” he stated. Dr. Bannor also insinuated the proposal might reflect broader governance issues, calling it a potential “create, loot, and share scheme” designed to misuse public funds.

The government has yet to provide detailed justification for the plan, which comes amid ongoing debates over fiscal discipline and resource allocation. The previous SIM registration exercise, launched to enhance security and curb fraud, faced logistical challenges but was broadly deemed successful in linking mobile numbers to verified identities. Critics, however, argue that recurring registration drives risk eroding public trust while diverting funds from critical sectors like healthcare and education.

Ghana’s mobile penetration exceeds 150%, with over 44 million active SIM cards as of 2024, making the telecom sector a vital pillar of economic activity. While cybersecurity and identity management remain priorities, analysts stress that sustainable solutions should focus on strengthening existing systems rather than redundant investments. The controversy underscores broader tensions between governance efficiency and public accountability, particularly as Ghana navigates economic recovery under an IMF-backed austerity program.

As lawmakers weigh the proposal, stakeholders await clarity on its objectives and cost implications. The outcome could set a precedent for how Ghana balances technological advancement with fiscal prudence in an era of tightening budgets and heightened public scrutiny.