SIM Card Re-registration Exercise Ineffectual - Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst with Narrowlite International, Mr. Kwame Adomako, has said that the ongoing Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) re-registration exercise will not reduce the high rate of frauds in the cyberspace as envisage by the government.

After identifying a number of lapses in the exercise, he implored on the supervising Ministry, thus the Ministry of Communication to re-strategize to achieve their set goals.

Though he admitted it’s very prudent and urgent to address cybercrime since its effects on socioeconomic growth of Ghana is very enormous, failing to do so can equally lead to the country’s destruction.

In an exclusive interview with Hello FM's Prince Kwadwo Boadu, Mr. Kwame Adomako said the phase one of the exercise which requires the subscriber to register from the comfort of his home is very dangerous since the subscriber can use any missing Ghana Card to register because there is no supervision.

“How would one know the subscriber is using his personal Ghana Card and not that of someone’s identity,” he questioned.

Also, the registration for some age group thus from 15 years and above is quite worrying since some people below 15 years use phones as well.

“Since the ministry is trying to ask parents to register for their wards who are below 15 years, what plans has the government put in place for the future when these children come of age,” he asked.

He suggested that subscribers should be allowed to register with their respective telcos for the sake of identity validity.

The Ministry of Communication started registering Sim Cards on October 1 and it’s in two phases; linking one’s Ghana Card to a SIM card and then physically visiting an agent of a service provider by a SIM card holder for an integration process to be completed.

According to the government, the registration is aimed at riding the country’s cyberspace of fraudsters, monitor and track down persons who use their phones for criminal activities.

The re-registration seems to have been met with mixed reactions from the public including minority in Parliament.