NCA Gives Ultimatum

By: Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh

The National Communications Authority (NCA), the regulator of the telecommunications industry has given a strong ultimatum to Ghanaians, from now to 1st July 2011, to register all SIM cards with their respective telecom service providers or risk being deactivated.

The authority added that if any chip or SIM card holder fails to register, then the person’s ability to make phone calls would be curtailed. Such a person would only be able to make emergency calls.

The Chairman of the SIM Registration Sub Committee, Major E. Owusu-Adansi (Rtd.), flanked by the Director General of the National Communications Authority, Mr. Bernard Forson Jnr., gave the ultimatum at a media interaction in Accra, over the weekend.

Major Owusu-Adansi further stressed that in six months time all pre-activated SIM cards should not be sold on the streets. For one to register a chip, “You need to provide your National Health Insurance, National Identification cards, Passport and a Driving Licence”, Major (Rtd.) Owusu-Adansi indicated.

Major (Rtd) Owusu-Adansi, who is also the Director for Special Project at the NCA, therefore, assured Ghanaians that they would not be in queues to register their chips or SIM cards.

To the telecom service providers, he appealed to them to put in place measures to ensure that nobody gets frustrated during the registration exercise and advised operators to keep the information confidentially.

The Director General of the NCA, Mr. Bernard Forson Jnr. threw more light on the importance of SIM cards registration, saying it would lead to economic, social and security dimensions of the country.

When the registration is completed, it would enhance the lives of the people, reduce crimes and protect businesses in the country. All the telecom operators in Ghana welcome the exercise.