SIM card re-registration begins today

On October 1, 2021, 1:52 PM

Effective today, October 1, the six-month re-registration of mobile subscriber identification module (SIM) cards, would commence nationwide.

The exercise would require Ghanaians and all SIM cardholders in the country to register their cards with the National Identification Authority (NIA) mandated cards (Ghana cards)

Two stages would be involved in the SIM card re-registration process.

First, cardholders would link their SIM card to the Ghana Card through a Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code.

The second stage would involve visiting the service provider (agent or customer service) of the mobile network operator to have the process completed.

The compulsory registration of SIMs with Ghana Cards would be open to Ghanaians from the age of 15. F

Failure to register one’s card with the appropriate ID would result in losing one’s number by the end of March 2022.

The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has explained that “only the National Identity Card (Ghana Card) issued to an individual shall be used for registration of SIM cards of citizens, foreign residents and foreigners staying in Ghana for more than 90 days.”

In the case of foreigners staying in Ghana for less than 90 days, a valid passport or other travel document is required,” she said when she announced the re-registration exercise.

Follow these steps for the SIM card re-registration

Benefits of the re-registration

The exercise, according to the minister, would reduce or eliminate fraudulent and criminal activities, and help authorities ascertain the accurate number of valid and accurate SIMs on the networks.

Additionally, the SIM card re-registration would enable mobile network operators to build better demographics of their customer base and help them develop products and services to suit the various groupings.

To the regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mrs Owusu-Ekuful indicated that it would help them get more accurate data to regulate the industry effectively.

“SIM Registration will enhance economic growth as more confidence is built in the telecommunications sector and people utilise secure devices to access E-Government services and other private mobile-based digital solutions,” she said.

“It will minimise Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud and support financial inclusion across the vulnerable sectors,” she emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has argued that undertaking a SIM re-registration exercise would not solve the issue of MoMo fraud, noting that, “the solution to the challenges of fraud within the electronic money ecosystem goes beyond SIM registration.

“We (the minority) hold the view that the mandatory re-registration of SIM provides no substantial benefit in the fight against electronic money fraud, and will face practical challenges such as inbound travellers who require a SIM card without a national ID,” has said.

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Story By Francis Ntow

Ghana card SIM card re-registration