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The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has served notice to the general public to complete the final stage of the ongoing SIM card re-registration process.

She said such persons who have been issued their Ghana Cards, started and completed the first stage of the re-registration process, but for whatever reason have refused to complete stage 2 would amount to punitive measures in a few days’ time.

The lawmaker explained that the punitive measures would be to deactivate the SIM cards of such persons who have just refused to complete the process due to their own stubborn reason.

She revealed the punitive measures would start operating 10 days from today, November 7, 2022.

According to her, the refusal of persons who have no genuine concern not to complete the process hinders the progress of the initiative which she said, is intended to reduce fraudulent and criminal activities facilitated by mobile phones or SIM-enabled devices.

“To those who have refused to complete stage 2 of the SIM REGISTRATION exercise despite having access to their Ghana Cards; their SIMS will be blocked in 10 DAYS - starting today, November 7, 2022. We will make further announcements of steps being taken to complete this exercise in due course” she made this known in a social media post.

She added that the government is focused on achieving an enabling environment for all to access and make meaningful use of the digitalization agenda by fostering the development of accessible technologies.

Madam Ursula has over the period also stated that the initiative would enable operators to build better demographics of their customers and develop products and services to suit various groupings while allowing the National Communications Authority (NCA)  to have a more accurate and credible database to regulate the industry better to enhance economic growth.

She explained that the exercise is of critical national interest, which should be supported by all adding that, it would help law enforcement agencies to identify SIM card owners, track criminals who use phones for illegal activities, curb phone theft, hate text messaging, mobile fraud activities, SIM Box fraud, among several other issues confronting the country’s security.

“It will minimize mobile money fraud, promote cybersecurity and support financial inclusion. A credible and reliable SIM register will also serve as a database, giving comprehensive statistics regarding the number of subscribers in the country and provide a resource for tracking fraudsters and criminals” she stated.