“You need a Ghana Card to acquire a new sim card” – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful gives details

According to the minister, the Upcoming National SIM Registration is an initiative to curb SIM box fraud and other SIM card related frauds.

Speaking at a press conference at the Information Ministry today, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said existing subscribers will register their SIM cards via USSD and a SIM registration app.

“For the very first time in GH, there will be a SIM Register just like Brazil, Germany & Switzerland, which will serve as a database giving comprehensive statistics regarding No. of subscribers in GH & providing a resource for tracking fraudsters & criminals.”

“Individuals can register a total number of 10 SIM Cards across all networks and Foreigners will have a limit of 3 SIM Cards across all networks.”

You need a Ghana Card to acquire a new sim card. Existing subscribers will register their SIM cards via USSD and a sim registration app.”

“Stolen mobile phones will be blocked from all networks across the world through our new centralised SIM card registry. For the Bus., in addition to verifying from the Registrar General’s Dept that the Business is valid, a shareholder or director of the organisation will have to personally be linked to the registration of the SIMs.”

“The pivotal nature of this sector (digitisation) was brought to the fore with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as indeed ICT played & continues to play an enormous role in ensuring continuity of work & business processes in every sector of the economy.”

“All subscribers are encouraged to begin getting their national IDs to have a smooth and easy registration process. Those who have registered but have not picked up their Ghana Cards should be able to do so from the various NIA offices.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia had earlier warned Ghanaians to register their SIM cards with Ghana cards or risk losing them.

According to him, the move is part of plans to rid the country’s cyberspace of fraud, monitor and track down persons who use their phones for criminal activities.

“I expect that the Minister for Communications and Digitalization [Ursula Owusu Ekuful] will soon announce the date for registration of the SIM card. Maybe by the end of June or beginning of July this year, everybody will have to register their SIM with a National ID number.”

“We all have to do that otherwise we’ll lose that SIM card. That will really give us a real identity for all MoMo transactions. For example, it takes away fraud that is taking place like SIM box and through MoMo”, he added.

How to register your SIM without Ghana Card

The National Identification Authority (NIA) explained how subscribers who do not have the Ghana Card can still get their SIM cards registered.

According to him, the exercise will commence with over 15.5 million Ghanaians with the National Identification Cards while persons who do not have the cards will be given a special opportunity to acquire the cards.

“15.5 million people have their cards already so those 15.5 million people can go and register their SIM cards when the process begins. But the rest who do not have it will be catered for.  We have divided the population into two. For those who are 15 years and above, we have captured about 84%.

“So the rest can go to the district and regional offices. All Ghanaians, 15 and above who did not get their Ghana card can go to the NIA offices anywhere and get registered.”

“We will also register those who are younger and under 15, so they will also be able to access the service. But as the Honourable Minister communicated, this will be over a period up to December 31st, so all those who desire to get the Ghana card can go and get it from any of our offices. It is free,” he said.