Over 29 million SIM Cards registered successfully using Ghana Card, says Communications Minister
Nearly 29 million SIM cards have successfully been registered since the commencement of the registration exercise using the Ghana Card. The Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, shared this significant milestone during her appearance before Parliament, where she provided an update on the ongoing SIM card registration process.
According to Minister Owusu-Ekuful, a total of 28,948,142 SIM cards have been fully registered, while an additional 999,419 have been exempted from the process. Consequently, the current number of active SIM cards stands at an impressive 29,947,561. She further explained that the exempted SIM cards primarily belong to Ghanaians serving on Peacekeeping Missions, staff members of the Foreign Ministry on diplomatic missions abroad, and members of the diplomatic community residing in Ghana.
Addressing concerns raised by individuals who reported their SIM cards being blocked despite completing the registration process, Minister Owusu-Ekuful clarified that many of these instances occurred because the individuals did not fulfill the requirements of the second phase of the registration process. She urged affected individuals to promptly contact their respective Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to resolve the issues and restore access to their blocked SIM cards. The Minister emphasized the importance of taking timely action, as the National Communications Authority (NCA) is expected to announce the end of the moratorium period soon. Once the moratorium ends, all unregistered SIM cards will be permanently deactivated.
To ensure a smooth registration process and address any inadvertent blockages, Minister Owusu-Ekuful encouraged those whose SIM cards were mistakenly blocked, despite completing the registration, to notify the NCA. Such reports will prompt a thorough investigation into the matter to determine the cause of the issue and prevent its recurrence.
The Minister emphasized the responsibility of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in ensuring the functionality of their systems. She emphasized that MNOs should refrain from blocking the SIM cards of individuals who have fully registered their numbers. As of now, every registered SIM card is linked to a Ghana Card, with ownership verified through the National Identification Authority (NIA). This integration aims to enhance the security and integrity of the registration process.
Despite the progress made in the SIM card registration exercise, some subscribers have encountered challenges accessing their funds on mobile money accounts, as these accounts have been temporarily suspended due to unregistered SIM cards. Acknowledging the issue, Minister Owusu-Ekuful assured affected individuals that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are collaborating with the Bank of Ghana to facilitate the retrieval of funds locked in these mobile money accounts.
In a separate development, the Minister highlighted that the SIM cards of the Speaker of Parliament and other Members of Parliament (MPs) were deactivated. To address this, the Ministry plans to engage with the Office of the Clerk of Parliament to expedite the registration process and reactivate their SIM cards.
Furthermore, Minister Owusu-Ekuful drew attention to approximately 280,000 unregistered merchant SIM cards. These unregistered SIM cards pose a potential risk as they can be exploited by fraudsters to carry out illicit activities. To combat this issue, the Ghanaian government has issued a one-month ultimatum, effective until the end of June 2023, for merchant SIM card holders to register their cards. Failure to comply will result in the deactivation of these unregistered merchant SIM cards.
Mr. Samuel Nartey George, the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Communications, urged the Minister to ensure a clean SIM card register without disenfranchising Ghanaians. This plea reflects the importance of maintaining an inclusive and accessible registration process that considers the diverse needs and circumstances of the Ghanaian population.
As Ghana continues to spearhead digital initiatives, the successful implementation of the SIM card registration exercise using the Ghana Card signifies a significant step towards enhancing security, promoting accountability, and fostering a digitally inclusive society. The government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests and rights of its citizens remains a top priority as it navigates the complexities of the digital landscape.
