Keta: Some members of the public in Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have expressed mixed reactions over the proposed Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card re-registration exercise. While some residents in the area believed the move would help curb fraudsters' activities, others have opposed the move, citing concerns about data security and privacy, among others.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Selorm Augustine Hamenu, a resident of Vodza, in the Keta Municipality, stated that the government's initiative to re-register SIM cards aims to enhance national security, reduce fraudulent activities, and improve industry regulation. He highlighted that the exercise, expected to start soon, would require all citizens to re-register their SIM cards using the Ghana Card, which could significantly reduce fraudulent activities by some fraudsters. Many residents in Keta and surrounding areas have welcomed the initiative, believing it would reduce cybercrime and mobile money fraud, thereby securing their phones and reducing scam calls.
However, some residents expressed skepticism about the government's ability to protect their data, fearing their information could fall into the wrong hands. Madam Dzifa Tetevi, a seamstress at Tetekope, a suburb of Keta, pointed out past challenges with SIM registration exercises, such as low registration rates and data security issues, urging the government to address these concerns. She emphasized the importance of protecting biometric data, which is crucial in the digital age, to prevent any unfortunate situations.
Madam Tetevi also stressed the need for the government to engage with the public and provide comprehensive education before implementing the program. She questioned how the exercise would be conducted to capture every SIM card and raised concerns about those unable to re-register. Questions about the criteria for re-registration and the methods of reaching remote areas, like her grandfather's village, remain unanswered.
Mr. Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, assured that the exercise would be queue-free, smooth, and successful. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has outlined the registration process, requiring citizens to submit Ghana Card details via a Short Code or online portal, which would verify citizen information and link SIM cards to individual Ghana Cards.
Some experts argue that the re-registration exercise is necessary to combat mobile-related fraud and cybercrime, as registered SIMs would enable authorities to trace criminals using mobile networks for scams and other crimes. The government has emphasized that the exercise is mandatory and urged citizens to register their SIM cards when the time comes to avoid disruptions to their services.