The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has assured that the planned SIM card re-registration exercise will not impose any financial burden on taxpayers.

His comments come amid ongoing discussions about the government’s intention to undertake a new SIM card re-registration process.

Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, March 24, Sam George stated that the exercise would be carried out at no cost to the public.

“Part of the reason the Public Procurement Authority invited me to appear with my ministry is that we have written to the PPA and stated that this will be at no cost to the government.

“The commitment authorisation we received from the Finance Ministry for both the CERR and the SIM registration platform was to the effect that it will be at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer. When it is not borne by the taxpayer, you need to justify how it will be done,” he said.

Explaining how the process would be funded, the Minister noted that engagements have been held with telecommunications companies to bear the cost.

“Engagement. We have engaged with the telecom companies and explained to them why they need to bear the cost,” he added.

Mr. George further assured that the process would be competitive and not sole-sourced.

“We’re not sole-sourcing,” he added.