SIM Registration Alone Won’t Stop Fraud — Telecoms Chamber CEO

Accra, Ghana — The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, has cautioned that SIM registration by itself will not eliminate fraud in the country.

Speaking on the issue of mobile-related scams, Owusu-Ankomah stressed that while SIM registration is an important regulatory measure, it cannot serve as a “silver bullet” against fraud, because many scams rely on deception rather than anonymous phone numbers. 

According to her, most fraud cases in Ghana involve social engineering tactics, where criminals impersonate officials or trusted institutions to trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as personal identification numbers (PINs) and other private data. 

She emphasized that public awareness and responsible handling of personal information are essential in combating such scams. Consumers, she said, must avoid sharing confidential details with unknown callers and remain cautious when responding to requests for sensitive data.

Her comments come amid ongoing discussions around SIM re-registration exercises in Ghana, which authorities say are aimed at improving database accuracy and strengthening telecom sector regulation.

Owusu-Ankomah noted that while registration can help improve traceability, consumer education and cybersecurity vigilance remain critical tools in the fight against mobile fraud.