Ministry of Communications takes action to address "gaps" in SIM card registrations



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The Ministry of Communications has taken steps to remedy what, in its view, were shortcomings with the existing SIM card registration scheme in Ghana.

The ministry urged players in the value chain of registration on the SIM card to ensure strict adherence to the process of registration and activation of the card in accordance with the legal provisions in force.

In a statement issued on April 2, 2019, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said the gaps identified in the process were:

– the sale of prerecorded SIM cards;

-The use of pre-registered SIM cards and

– Fraudulent registration of SIM cards and use likewise.

These shortcomings, the Minister says, facilitate criminal activities such as mobile money fraud, illegal exchange of SIM cards, illegal termination of international traffic (SIM-Boxing) resulting in a loss of revenue for the company; State, borrowing identity and cybercrime.

"The government is committed to formalizing our economy using technology as part of the Digital Ghana (DGA) program and to ensuring the integrity of an integrated national database and systems." This will enhance security and confidence in the use of digital services and contribute to the establishment of a fully functioning digital economy.

"As we work in partnership with the relevant institutions for the go out The National Communications Authority (NCA) has been tasked with ensuring strict compliance with the law and engaging Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and all relevant stakeholders to address these shortcomings, "said the Minister. in a statement. .

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

Photo: Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is Minister of Communications

The minister urged subscribers and mobile network operators to ensure compliance with the legal provisions in force, such as:

– Subscriber Identification Module Registration Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2006), which governs the responsibilities of registration on a SIM card and gives a mandate to the non-activated or disabling unregistered SIM cards

-Article 73 (a) of the Law on the Amendment of the Law on Electronic Communications. 2016 (Law 910), which prohibits the use of SIM cards to terminate international calls as local calls, empowers the NCA to instruct network operators to prevent, detect or disconnect cards SIM used for this purpose. goal and makes this illegal termination of appeals punishable by imprisonment and / or a fine.

-Article 73 (b) of the law amending the law on electronic communications. 2016 (Law 910) also criminalizes the use of prerecorded SIM cards for any purpose and makes it an offense punishable by a fine of up to three thousand units of punishment or sentence imprisonment for not more than five years, or for any of those sentences.

"For the purpose of this section," pre-registered subscriber identity module or user identity module "means a module that has been registered with the data of a person other than the recipient. the person who ultimately acquires the module for use on a network, except in the cases provided by law, "the statement said.

The ministry badured the general public of its commitment to building a strong, secure and resilient communications sector for the benefit of all citizens.

In this regard, the Ministry states that it will ensure the full implementation of all laws relating to the acquisition and registration of SIM cards.

"We therefore encourage all subscribers to check the current status of their SIM registration by dialing * 400 # Free on any network. Subscribers can also call their service providers at 100 Free they have problems with the service. "

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