Chamber of telecommunications assures registration of deactivated SIM cards

The Chamber of Telecommunications has provided assurance that all unregistered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards that have been deactivated can still be registered. According to the Chamber, the data on the deactivated SIM cards will be restored as soon as users complete the registration process using their Ghana Card and providing the necessary biometric data to their mobile operator.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Chamber of Telecommunications, revealed that as of Thursday morning, approximately three million unregistered SIM cards had been deactivated. He further disclosed that by May 31, 2023, the deadline for the SIM registration exercise, around nine million SIM cards remained unregistered, and an additional six million could potentially be deactivated in the coming days.

Users of deactivated SIM cards are currently unable to make or receive calls, send or receive text messages, access internet services, or conduct mobile money transactions. However, they can still receive messages from their mobile operator and access the code for SIM card registration by dialing *404#.

Dr Ashigbey emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the registration window and promptly registering SIM cards, as the National Communications Authority (NCA) may close the window at any time. He clarified that the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the NCA, and the Telecommunication Companies are not interested in blocking people’s numbers but aim to identify and remove fraudsters from the system.

The SIM card registration campaign began on October 1, 2021, and was initially scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2022. However, due to challenges faced in acquiring the Ghana Card, the NCA extended the registration deadline multiple times until May 31, 2023, which was communicated as the final deadline.

Dr Ashigbey also highlighted that approximately 7.4 million mobile money accounts, holding an amount of GHc200 million, have not been registered and will be subject to deactivation. Funds from blocked accounts will be kept in a special account, and owners of restored mobile money accounts will need to follow a specific process to have their funds restored in their wallets.

For individuals who do not possess a Ghana Card, Dr Ashigbey advised them to visit the National Identification Authority to obtain the card. Once in possession of the Ghana Card, they can dial the registration code to complete the registration process and regain access to their mobile numbers.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh