Ghanaians express concern over NCA’s latest directive on SIM re-registration
Some Ghanaians have raised concerns over the latest directive by the National Communications Authority on the SIM re-registration exercise.
The authority announced that Persons who are yet to commence re-registration of their SIM cards or yet to fully complete the process will begin to experience interruptions in their service for two days a week till the end of the month.
George Arthur, a bullion van driver, stated that “I don’t find this directive very favourable at all because I have the Ghana Card, but there was a mistake in my name. It didn’t tally with what was on my SIM card, so I was asked to go swear an affidavit, which cost about GH¢100. I can’t afford that just for a SIM so I won’t bother registering. I’ve used my SIM since 2004, and now I’d lose it just because of this exercise.”
Fredrick Yeboah a shoe shop attendant, also said “For us business operators, this directive will affect us because it will mean our customers will not be able to reach us. The government must do something about it.”
The National Communications Authority has stressed that users should expect to finally be blocked by the end of the month if they fail to re-register their SIM cards before the deadline.
This move forms part of a phased punitive measure to get users to have their SIM cards registered with the Ghana Card.
Per the directive, effective 5th September 2022, all outgoing calls of such users must be rerouted to an Interactive Voice Response for a message to be played before all calls go through every day.
Meanwhile, a letter sighted by Citi Business News from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has raised some concerns about the directive from the NCA.
It added that “As of September 3, 2022, customers had not been given any notice of the barring/ blocking of data service for 48 hours and outgoing calls from September 5, 2022, stressing that implementing these measures without adequate notice to customers will be a breach of our member’s standard license notice period, terms and conditions of service and could lead to customer backlash and reputation issues. “
Source: Ghana Business
