IMANI Requests Comprehensive Details on 2026 SIM Registration Exercise

 

The IMANI Centre for Policy and Education has formally requested detailed information from the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations regarding the government’s planned nationwide SIM registration exercise slated for early 2026.

The think tank submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request on Monday, December 8, 2025, seeking clarity on the structure, funding, and management of the upcoming programme. The request, acknowledged by the Minister’s secretary, asks the ministry to provide documentation outlining the legal foundation for the new registration system, its technical design, procurement processes, and the specific roles assigned to state agencies and private service providers.

IMANI emphasized that this information is vital to ensuring public understanding of how personal data—particularly biometric data—will be collected, stored, and protected. Public debate on the matter has intensified in recent weeks, with many citizens questioning the need for another nationwide SIM registration exercise and expressing concerns about privacy and data security.

Civil society groups have also called for greater transparency, especially regarding the cost and procurement elements of the initiative.

According to IMANI, its request is grounded in Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), both of which guarantee citizens’ access to information held by public institutions. The organisation expressed its expectation that the ministry will fully cooperate to promote transparency and accountability.

“We believe timely information will help citizens understand the intentions behind the programme and strengthen trust in its implementation,” IMANI noted.

The think tank reiterated that clear data-protection safeguards, disclosure of contracted vendors, and transparent verification procedures are essential to assuring the public that the exercise will be managed responsibly and in line with national and international standards.

Source: Theghanareport