SIM Re-Registration Requirements and Procedure: How to Register Your SIM Card

Effective, October 1, 2021, The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) will commence the National SIM Card Registration Exercise. This initiative is to help curb fraudulent and criminal activities.

Speaking at the Launch, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful stressed that “SIM registration, when undertaken correctly as we intend to do, will reduce or eliminate fraudulent and criminal activities, help authorities ascertain the accurate number of valid and accurate SIMs on the networks, enable operators to build better demographics of their customer base and help them develop products and services to suit the various groupings”.

NB: SIM Cards not Registered will be Blocked permanently

Why register your SIM Card?

• The SIM re-registration exercise initiative will help reduce, track and monitor fraudulent incidents committed by criminals.
• The SIM registration will also aid the government and National Communications Authority ascertain the accurate number of valid and accurate SIMs on the networks and enable operators to build better demographics of their customer base and help them develop products and services to suit the various groupings.
• SIM Registration will enhance economic growth as more confidence is built in the telecommunications sector and people utilize secure devices to access E-Government services and other private mobile based digital solutions.

SIM Registration Requirements for Ghanaians

• The minimum age for registration is 15 years, taking into consideration the increased use of communications services since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate E-education.
• All new subscribers will have to produce their Ghana card to acquire a new SIM card.
• For Businesses to register sims in bulk, the Operators will be required to verify the Business Registration documents with the Registrar General’s Department and verify the identity of the Shareholder or the Director for Limited Liability companies and Public Institutions respectively.
• MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo, Glo, Busy, Surfline Subscribers are eligible to register or re-register.
• Existing subscribers can register their SIMS via USSD and a sim registration App.

SIM Registration Requirements for Foreigners

• The minimum age for registration is 15 years, taking into consideration the increased use of communications services since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate E-education.
• Foreigners visiting Ghana can acquire a SIM Card using their Passports or Travel Card, but they can only use the SIM Card for 30 days after which it will be deactivated.
• Foreigners intending to use a SIM Card for more than 30 days will have to obtain the Non-Citizen Ghana Card to do so.
• The NCA has made it mandatory for the Operators to verify Passports and Travel Cards against an international database before registering and activating a SIM Card for Foreigners.
• Special arrangements will be made for diplomatic personnel living and working in Ghana.

SIM Registration Limits

• Ghanaian Citizens can register a total number of 10 SIM Cards across all networks
• Foreigners will have a limit of 3 SIM Cards across all networks.
• All SIM Cards registered to a Business will be linked to a Shareholder or Director of the Business and if a Business SIM Card is found to have been engaged in a fraudulent activity, the Shareholder or Director will be held liable.

SIM Registration Verification Procedures

• The NCA will develop mechanisms to enable subscribers (individual and Businesses) check and verify all SIM Cards which have been registered in their names at all times.
• The verification of all subscribers and businesses will be against the databases of the National Identification Authority and the Registrar General’s Department where necessary.
• Businesses will be verified from the Registrar General’s Department that that Business is valid, then a shareholder or director of the organisation will have to personally be linked to the registration of the SIMs.

How to Register or Replace Missing Ghana Card

• The NIA will open Regional and District Offices to enable Ghanaians who have not registered or misplaced their Ghana Card to get access to it.
• Those who have registered but have not picked up their Ghana Cards should be able to do so from the various NIA offices effective October 1, 2021.

How to Register Your SIM Card via USSD Code

Stage 1: Linking Your SIM Card to Ghana Card

1. Dial *404#
2. Enter Ghana Card PIN (Personal Identification Number) (Enter Letters and Figures without the Hyphens)
3. Confirm Ghana Card PIN
4. Enter Surname
5. Enter First Name
6. Enter Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY)
7. Select Sex or Gender
8. Confirm Details
9. Submit Details Provided after Confirmation

If you are successful, you will get a confirmation message with a Unique Code.

Stage Two: Completing Registration

Visit your Service Provide (Vodafone, MTN, AirtelTigo, Glo etc.) to complete the next state of the registration.

SIM Registration Unsuccessful, What Do I Do?

If you are unsuccessful due to wrong details, you have 3 attempts to answer security questions. If you are unsuccessful due to verification failure at the National Identification Authority (Ghana Card), you will be informed to Contact the NIA.

See Registration Procedure in Pictures below;