Despite the respite provided to Ghanaians to partake in the SIM re-registration exercise after the last deadline was extended, the Mobile Money Agents Association has said the additional two months given is not enough.
Recall that tension built up in the air when Ghanaians started rushing to have their Ghana Card at designated points to enable have their SIM registered in line with the directive issued by the government to curb cyber fraud and others.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation came Ghanaians a huge sigh of relief when she popped up on the eve of the deadline to say thus;
“Mobile Network Operators MNOs and the National Communications Authority (NCA) (and I dare say the National Identification Authority) have all hired extra people, purchased the required supplies, and incurred substantial sums to undertake this exercise effectively. Any delay raises costs. I’ve reluctantly decided to give a last conditional extension after consulting with the industry and considering the aforementioned issues.
“The program will stop on its anniversary, September 30.” One year of SIM registration. Any SIM not completely registered by the end of August would be blocked from voice and data services.
Unregistered SIMs will cost extra. September’s news briefing will detail all disciplinary actions. Please don’t blame your supplier for your own actions. “Forewarned is forearmed.”
However, according to the Mobile Money Agents Association, the challenge for many registrants is their inability to access their Ghana Cards.
The Secretary of the Mobile Money Agents Association, Evans Otumfuor told Citi News that until problems facing the National Identification Authority are dealt with, the extension would have little impact.
“Looking at the exigencies that government wants us to regularise our credentials with the Ghana Card, we were thinking that at least, within a space of six months, it should be enough for us to get quite a good number of people.”
SOURCE: www.Ghbase.com