In the next 24 hours, approximately six million network subscribers who have only linked their Ghana card and SIM card would be debarred from making or receiving calls, as well as data and SMS services.

These individuals have failed to complete the biometric stage before the fourth deadline extension of the SIM card re-registration exercise elapses.

On its part, telecommunication giant, MTN, has noted that it will deactivate 5,701,149 subscribers on December 01, 2022.

The deactivation of SIM cards forms part of measures introduced by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation to ensure all SIM cards are re-registered in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, November 11, Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, mentioned that SIM card registration will help minimise fraudulent activities.

The SIM re-registration exercise which commenced in October 2021 was expected to end on July 31, 2022.

However, it was extended to September 30 to allow Ghanaians link their SIM cards to their Ghana Cards.

The deadline was again extended for the third time [October 31] due to the low number of re-registered SIM cards.

With several complaints about long queues at the premises of network providers, a self-serving registration app was launched to assist individuals to register in the comfort of their homes at a cost of GH5.

Yet, the numbers of registered SIM cards were not encouraging. As such, the NCA in September blocked outgoing calls for a sequential batch of numbers for 2 days.

The Ministry in a press conference noted that defaulters of the SIM card registration exercise will be blocked on Sunday, October 31, 2021.

However, after the October 31 deadline, unregistered SIM card holders continue to make and receive calls, as well as enjoy data and SMS services.

Currently, a total of 30,011,082 SIM cards have been linked to Ghana Cards, thereby completing the first phase of the registration process.

As of November 9, 20,892,970 subscribers had completed both the linkage and capture of their biometric data.

Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has disclosed that individuals whose SIM cards will be blocked will be given a six-month grace period to reclaim their SIM cards after registering.

Unregistered SIM cards after the six-month grace period will be churned out.

Nevertheless, it is unknown what will happen to individuals who have not begun the registration exercise due to the unavailability of a Ghana card since the

communications ministry did not factor them in their recent communique.