SIM Card Re-registration: The GH5 charge for the self-service app did not require Parliamentary approval.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications, has stated that her ministry is not required by law to seek Parliamentary approval before instituting the GH5 charge for people who use self-service SIM card registration.
During a press conference on Sunday, the Minister announced that a self-registration app will be available on both Android and iOS platforms by Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
She stated that registering through the app will incur a GH 5 fee.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the SIM Registration App will be available for download on both Android and IOS this week." Each registration through the app will incur a 5-cedi surcharge."
The Minister stated that the app was necessary due to the difficulties encountered during the SIM card re-registration process.
However, a group known as the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers claim that they are opposed to the GH5 charge, claiming that the Ministry of Communications should seek Parliamentary approval before imposing the charge, as required by the Fees And Charges (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 2018.
However, in an interview on Peace FM on Monday, August 1, 2022, Minister for Communications Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated that the group's position is not supported by law.
"...I don't have to go to Parliament as Minister of Communications because I'm taking advantage of a service." According to the service provider, there is a fee for using the app. We are all aware that the government cannot bear all of the expenses. So, if you want to use the service, you should pay for it. If you don't want to use the app, go to your service provider's queue and have your sim re-registered."
According to National Communication Authority (NCA) statistics, as of Thursday, July 21, 2022, 16,969,034 people had registered for the Ghana Card, with approximately 16,535,623 cards printed, and 15,395,607 having linked their Ghana Card to their SIM cards.
The Minister announced at the press conference that the deadline for SIM card re-registration has been extended to September 30, 2022.
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