Over 10 million mobile network subscribers continue to make and receive calls, as well as enjoy data and SMS services, despite failing to re-register their SIM cards before the end of October 2022.

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The SIM re-registration exercise commenced in October 2021 to allow Ghanaians link their SIM cards to their Ghana Cards, as part of measures to curb fraudulent activities.

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The exercise was scheduled to end on July 31, 2022. However, it was extended to September 30, due to the low number of re-registered SIM cards.

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“Upon consultation with the industry and in view of the challenges enumerated above, I have very reluctantly decided to grant a conditional extension. The programme will be extended to 30th September to end on the anniversary of its commencement,” Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said.

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In August, a self sim registration app was launched to assist individuals to re-register at the comfort of their homes, however, at a cost of GH5.

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Despite the introduction of the app, some network subscribers failed to register their SIMs.

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As part of measures to get network subscribers to register their SIM cards, the NCA in September blocked outgoing calls for a sequential batch of numbers for 2 days.

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Some subscribers who had registered their SIM cards were also affected. In a short spate of time, the Authority rescinded its decision following concerns from subscribers.

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In mid-October, the Ministry of Communications announced that it has suspended the blockage of unregistered SIM cards to allow subscribers to register their SIMs before October 31, 2022.

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However, the ministry announced that, from the end of October, network subscribers who had not completed Stage 2 of the SIM card registration exercise would have their SIMs barred.

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It has been four days since the moratorium elapsed, and the National Communications Authority (NCA) is yet to implement the blockage.

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According to the NCA, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) shall put disconnected SIM Cards in a holding category and current subscribers of these SIM Cards shall be given six (6) months to register their SIM cards, failing which these numbers will be churned by the MNOs.”

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Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who has been reluctant to extend the deadline for the exercise is yet to comment on the matter.

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Data from the Communications Ministry reveals that from October 1, 2021, to October 4, 2022, a total of 28,959,006 SIM cards have been linked to Ghana Cards (Stage 1 registration); representing 67.28% of the 42,749,662 total SIM cards issued nationally.

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A total of 18,930,664 SIM cards have been fully registered (completed both Stages 1 and 2), representing 44.28% of the total SIM cards issued. This equates to 69.64% of all Stage 1 registrations.

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"13,720,687 unique Counts of Ghana cards have been issued so far for the registration exercise," the Ministry revealed.

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Source: The Independent Ghana

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