SIM CARD REGISTRATION IN GHANA, UPDATE YOURSELF NOW
Frequently Asked Questions -SIM Re-registration 2021
1. What is this SIM re-registration exercise about?
Answer: it is a national exercise led by the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization and the regulator, National Communication Authority (NCA) to register all SIM cards using the Ghana Card
2. Why do I have to re-register my SIM Card?
Answer: Because the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization has directed all subscribers in Ghana to register their SIMs with the Ghana Card by the 31" of March 2022.
3. When does this exercise begin and end?
Answer: From 1 of October 2021 to 31 March, 2022.
4. I have already registered my SIM with my Ghana Card; do I have to register again?
Answer: Yes. This new registration process involves the verification of the Ghana Card as well as the capturing of your biometric information.
5. What do I need for this registration?
Answer: Your Ghana card and your digital residential address
6. How do I re-register my SIM card(s)?
Answer: Dial *404# and follow the prompt to link your Ghana card to your SIM number before you proceed to the MTN office or agent to have your biometric information (facials and fingerprints) captured.
7. Can I use any ID Card to re-register my SIM Card?
Answer: No, you can only register with the Ghana Card
8. I don't have a Ghana Card. What do I do?
Answer: Visit the nearest National Identification Authority (NIA) office to register your Ghana Card.
9. Is there a limit to the number of sim cards I can register?
Answer: Yes, you can register a maximum of 10 SIMs across all networks.
10. What happens if I do not register my SIM(s) within the period of re-registration?
Answer: According to the Regulator (NCA), all SIMs which are not registered with the Ghana Card by 31" March 2022 will be deactivated.
11. What happens if I am out of the country within the period of re-registration?
Answer: The regulator is yet to provide clarity on how subscribers who are roaming or outside the country can participate in the process. Customers outside Ghana however, can use the USSD channel *404# to link their Ghana Cards to their SIMs in the meantime.
12. I am using a pre-registered SIM. Can I go ahead and register it in my name?
Answer: Yes, If you can show proof of ownership or answer authentication questions on the SIM.
13. Can I use the online channels to re-register the SIM card?
Answer: For now you can start the process by the self-service step using the USSD *404# to link your Ghana Card and then visit your Service provider center or agent to have your biometric information captured.
14. Can children also register their SIMs?
Answer: Only persons 15 years and above who have Ghana Cards can register.
15. How do parents who must register for children under 15 years?
Answer: Parents will have to register for their wards under 15 years
16. Will the re-registration enable me to keep my number for life?
Answer: No, registration does not access for life rule.
17. What happens to customers who miss the re-registration deadline?
Answer: According to the Regulator (NCA), all SIMs which are not registered with the Ghana Card by
31th March 2022 will be deactivated
18. Can I send someone with my Ghana card to register the SIM Card for me?
Answer: No. You have to personally dial *404# and follow the prompt to link your Ghana card to your SIM number before you proceed to the MTN office or agent to have your biometric information (facials and fingerprints) captured
19. What happens to the aged customers who cannot come to the office with their Ghana Card to have their biometric information captured?
Answer: The regulator is yet to provide clarity on the aged
20. Is there an arrangement for House-to-House registration for Customers?
Answer: No.
21. Will there be a grace period if you miss the re-registration deadline?
Answer: For now the directive from the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization is that all SIMs must be registered within the six (6) month period.
22. How can corporate organization register their business sim cards?
Answer: The process for corporate SIM registration is yet to be finalized. The respective corporate customers will be duly informed when the process if finalized.
23. Will customers be charged for re-registering their Sim Cards?
Answer: No. the registration is free.
24. Considering COVID-19 pandemic, how would the registration process be?
Answer: The first step of the process which is "404# is purely is self-service. All COVID-19 protocols will be observed at the various center points where biometric information will be captured.
25. How long will it take for one to register?
Answer: For each of the two(2) steps, the process should not take more than 5 minutes to complete.
26. What happens to the Validity of SIM updates/re-registration?
Answer: This national registration takes precedence over any previous SIM updates
27. Will this be the final registration, or do we have to register again after some years?
Answer: This a national exercise and only the regulatory bodies can decide on it
28. Will the registration affect tariffs?
Answer: No, current tariffs remain the same.
29. After the re-registration, will customers be required to present ID cards for service activations and mobile money transactions?
Answer: Yes, their Ghana cards will be required for all transactions needing verification of identity.
30. What do I do if the details on *400# are not mine? Do I proceed with the re-registration process?
Answer: Yes, If you can show proof of ownership or answer authentication questions on the SIM.
31. Can I use a different SIM number to access *404# to link my number to the Ghana Card?
Answer: No. you have to use the same SIM to access *404# to link your Ghana card
32. Will I receive SMS with my unique code after I have gone through the *404# process?
Answer: Yes. You can also get it by dialing *400#
33. If my current GPS address is different from what I used for my Ghana card registration, which should I provide for the re-registration?
Answer: You should provide your current GPS address.
34. After I complete the linking on *404#, do I have to visit a touch point immediately to capture my biometrics or I can do the capture by March 31th, 2022?
Answer: You have up to March 31, 2022, to do so.
35. After I complete the pairing on *404#, can I request for network services (sim swap, pin reset) with my Ghana card if I haven't completed my biometric capture?
Answer: Yes. The staff who serves you will then assist to capture your biometric information at the same time.
36. How do I register a new SIM?
Answer: You will have to visit your service provider branch or approved agent with your Ghana Card who will register the SIM and capture of your biometric information.
37. Will this registration update my MoMo registration?
Answer: Yes. Your MoMo information will be enhanced with the verified information on your Ghana Card.
38. How can customers roaming complete their re-registration?
Answer: The regulator is yet to provide clarity on how subscribers who are roaming or outside the country can participate in the process. Customers outside Ghana however, can use the USSD channel *404# to link their Ghana Cards to their SIMs in the meantime.
39. Will service provider call me to take my personal information including my MoMo pin to complete my registration?
Answer: No service provider will call you for your MoMo pin, do not give your MoMo pin to anyone.
40. Can I access the USSD code from all types of handsets?
Answer: Yes. You can use any handset that supports USSD
41. Do I need to have a smart phone before my biometric data can be captured?
Answer: No.
42. Will the biometric capture be done only at Service touch points or there would be agents on the field?
Answer: Yes, there will be agent on the field but never give out your MoMo Pin.
43. Will EVD SIM cards require re-registration?
Answer: Yes, all SIMs must be registered
44. Will MoMo agent SIM cards require re-registration?
Answer: Yes, all SIMs will be registered