Kwaku Sakyi-Addo
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has advised mobile phone users to register their SIM cards immediately or risk losing their numbers.
According to the Chamber, very soon the grace period given for the registration of SIM cards would end and those who have not registered their SIM cards would lose their mobile numbers permanently.
Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Telecommunications Chamber disclosed this to BUSINESS GUIDE at the launch of the Chamber’s 5th Anniversary celebration at Kaneshie Market, Accra.
On July 1, 2010, the National Communications Authority issued a directive to all mobile network operators in Ghana to register all existing and new SIM cards.
The CEO said the deadline for the SIM registration was fast approaching, stating “if you have not registered your number; register now because soon we will draw a line. The numbers that are not registered will be deleted.”
“Very soon…when I say next week or next month or next year, Ghanaians will wait till the last day before rushing to register. I want everyone to do it now before it is too late.”
Mobile Money
Mr. Sakyi-Addo also entreated Ghanaians to register for mobile money service, stating that “five years from now, we want to use mobile money for all cash transactions because it’s costless and convenient.”
He said over the past five years, the number of mobile money accounts has grown phenomenally.
Mr. Sakyi-Addo said the value of annual transactions has grown to GH¢35 billion as at the end of 2015.
He said the mobile money has reduced the transaction cost of financial services for the poor, especially those in rural areas where financial services seldom exist.
Anniversary Launch
The launch of the Chamber’s 5th anniversary at the Kaneshie Market brought together top management of various telecommunications companies operating in Ghana, key stakeholders and the media to interact with the petty traders and general subscribers.
They focused on three main themes, namely SIM registration, Mobile Money and the importance of mobile towers and sites during the event.
By Cephas Larbi
cephrok@yahoo.com