SIM Card registration exercise: what you need to know

According to her, it will reduce or eliminate fraudulent and criminal activities, help authorities ascertain the accurate number of valid and accurate SIMs on the networks, enable operators to build better customer base demographics, and help them develop products and services to suit the various groupings.

This article outline what you need to know on the SIM Card registration exercise.

Documents Required

Every subscriber is required to provide the name and residential or occupational address, date of birth, in the case of an individual; and Certificate of Incorporation, in the case of a body corporate; or registration, in the case of a partnership or an unincorporated body of persons; and an identification document.

Only the National Identity Card (Ghana Card) issued to an individual shall be used to register SIM cards of Citizens, Foreign Residents and Foreigners staying in Ghana for more than 90 days.

Modalities

1. All new subscribers will have to produce their Ghana card to acquire a new SIM card. For Businesses to register SIMs in bulk, the Operators will be required to verify the Business Registration documents with the Registrar General’s Department and verify the identity of the Shareholder or the Director for Limited Liability Companies and Public Institutions, respectively.

2. The verification of all subscribers and businesses will be against the databases of the National Identification Authority. Companies will require a confirmation from the Registrar General’s Department of the business’ validity. A shareholder or director of the organisation will have to be linked to the registration of the SIMs personally.

3. Individuals can register a total number of 10 SIM Cards across all networks, while foreigners will have a limit of 3.

4. Foreigners visiting Ghana can acquire a SIM Card using their Passports or Travel Card, but they can only use the SIM Card for 30 days, after which the card will be deactivated. Foreigners intending to use a SIM Card for more than 30 days will have to obtain the Non-Citizen Ghana Card to do so.

The NCA has made it mandatory for the Operators to verify Passports and Travel Cards against an international database before registering and activating a SIM Card for Foreigners. Special arrangements will be made for diplomatic personnel living and working in Ghana.

5. The NCA will develop mechanisms to enable subscribers (individuals and Businesses) to check and verify all SIM Cards registered in their names at all times.

6. Existing subscribers will register their SIMS via USSD and a SIM registration App.

You can register your SIM card using the following steps below;

1. Dial the shortcode *404#
2. Enter your Ghana Card Number ( Note: Enter letters and figures without including hyphen)
3. Confirm Ghana Card Number
4. Enter Surname
5. Enter First Name(s)
6. Enter Date of Birth (Format: DDMMYYYY)
7. Select Sex
8. Confirm Details
9. Submit Details Provided After Confirmation
10. Visit the nearest office of your service provider to complete the process.