With effect from today, Monday, May 1, 2023, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the telcos have made a shortcode available for the general public to use to confirm the numbers associated with their Ghana Cards.
There have been numerous reports of users complaining about scammers who exploit loopholes to link people’s Ghana Cards to their numbers, prompting them to call for a standard and straightforward system that will enable them to confirm the numbers linked to their Cards.
Following that, telecommunications companies were hired to introduce a shortcode that will enable users to check the number of SIM cards connected to their Ghana Cards.
“There will be no need for Subscribers to physically go to the Telco to verify same when the shortcode is operational, by the end of April 2023, after the testing has been completed and approved.”
Dial *402*1# to check the number of SIMs linked to your Ghana Card. pic.twitter.com/eTuZRkPjwn
— Ministry of Information (@moigovgh) May 1, 2023
Relatively, on May 31, 2023, more than 11 million unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated, according to the National Communications Authority (NCA).
Speaking to the media in Accra, NCA Director General Joe Anokye stated that the Central SIM registration database’s data security for mobile subscribers is unharmed.
According to him, “One of the things to note is that active mass SIM registration for existing SIMs is coming to a close, and as mentioned earlier, we have about 11 million SIMs which are yet to begin the registration process, these subscribers have up to the end of May 2023 to complete their SIM registration or have their SIMs deactivated from the network.”
He cited the violation of regulations by the telecom company MTN, which had been designated as a Significant Market Player.
Prior to now, all unregistered SIM cards were removed from the telecom companies’ database.
Voice, data (mobile, phones, MIFIS, and other data-providing devices), SMS (incoming and outgoing), USSD, mobile money services, and emergency services are among the services that will be blocked.
