The new SIM card registration process in Ghana will soon be rolling out, and it will require all SIM cards to be re-registered. However, the key update is that the process will no longer solely rely on the Ghana Card for registration.
Previously, the Ghana Card was the primary identification method for SIM card registration, but under the new guidelines, the process has been adjusted for different categories of people who may not have the Ghana Card.
**Key Highlights of the New SIM Registration Process:**
1. **For Ghanaians without a Ghana Card:**
- Ghanaians who do not have the Ghana Card will be able to use other forms of identification for SIM card registration. This may include documents like voter ID cards, passport, or other government-issued IDs. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has not yet specified which forms of ID will be acceptable in full detail, but the move is designed to help those who have not obtained a Ghana Card.
2. **For Foreigners:**
- Foreign residents can still register using their Non-Citizen Ghana Card, and visitors can use passports or other legal travel documents. The validity of SIM cards for visitors will depend on the length of their stay, but they will still need to go through the registration process.
3. **Process for Registration:**
- To register, users will need to visit their mobile network providers' registration points or use mobile apps and USSD services provided by the networks.
- Network operators will verify the identification through the alternative documents and link them to the SIM cards.
- The registration limits will remain the same, with each person able to register multiple SIM cards, though the maximum number of SIM cards that can be registered might be subject to specific policies based on identity verification.
4. **Objective of the New Process:**
- The primary goal of this new SIM registration process is to enhance security and prevent fraud. By expanding the identification options, the government seeks to ensure that everyone can be part of the registration process while ensuring mobile and telecommunication transactions are safer and more accountable.
5. **Consequences of Non-Registration:**
- As with previous SIM registration guidelines, failure to register the SIM cards will result in the deactivation of the number. Mobile phone users will be required to go through the registration process to ensure their number remains active.
In summary, this new SIM registration exercise is designed to be more inclusive for those without a Ghana Card. The main aim is to improve the security of mobile communications, and by offering multiple forms of identification, the registration process should be accessible to a larger group of people in Ghana.