Minority Caucus Stages Walkout Over SIM Re-registration as NIA Declares Ghana Card Photocopying Illegal

On July 15, 2026, proceedings in Parliament were disrupted when the Minority Caucus staged a walkout in protest against First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor. The friction began during Question Time when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin attempted to pose supplementary questions to the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, regarding the government's fresh SIM card re-registration exercise. Ahiafor ruled the follow-up questions out of order, citing parliamentary Standing Orders, a move the Minority labeled as a deliberate attempt to stifle oversight and shield the government from scrutiny. Despite the walkout, Minority leadership indicated that members would eventually return to the chamber for other legislative business.

The parliamentary dispute centers on a new SIM registration initiative defended by Minister Sam George as a critical security measure. According to the Minister, the previous registration process contained significant security gaps and lacked seamless integration with the National Identification Authority (NIA) database, leaving the telecommunications system vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. The updated exercise mandates real-time biometric verification to ensure the authenticity of subscriber details. This policy shift is intended to bolster public confidence in Ghana's digital infrastructure by creating a more credible and secure database of all mobile users in the country.

Parallel to the parliamentary tension, the National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced a significant legal shift regarding the use of the Ghana Card. Under an amendment to the National Identity Register Regulations (L.I. 2111), it is now illegal for organizations or individuals to photocopy or visually inspect a Ghana Card for the purpose of identity verification in transactions. Wisdom Kwaku Deku, Executive Secretary of the NIA, emphasized that biometric verification is now the only legally recognized method for authenticating a cardholder's identity. This change is designed to combat identity fraud and ensure that institutions connect directly to the NIA's verification platform to maintain the integrity of the national identification system.

This new regulatory framework carries heavy penalties for non-compliance. Organizations found guilty of photocopying cards instead of using biometric systems face fines ranging from GH¢6,000 to GH¢24,000, while individual offenders could be fined between GH¢600 and GH¢6,000. These measures follow directives from the Bank of Ghana urging financial institutions to prioritize biometric authentication. As the government moves forward with these stringent digital identity and communication policies, the political and legal landscape continues to evolve, reflecting a broader national push toward a more secure, biometrically-verified digital economy.