The Communications Minister has said the Ghana Card will be the primary identification card to be used during the re-registration process of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards scheduled for next year.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful explained that the card is linked to all other identity cards thus, it will make the tracing of other information easier.

“We will start with the Ghana Card and all those with it will use that for the SIM re-registration,” she told the host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Daniel Dadzie, Thursday.

SIM registration also enables subscribers to be properly identified for the use of value-added services such as mobile banking, mobile money, and electronic payment services.

The registration of SIM Cards is part of government’s effort to fight mobile phone related crimes such as; phone theft, hate text messages, mobile fraud activities, inciting violence among others.

“We are currently in the process of enrolling the Ghana Card and if you haven’t registered, kindly do so,” the Minister advised. 

According to the Minister, people won’t be able to access some services after the deadline and they have themselves to blames.

The cards will collect biometric traits of individuals and be more in line with “current trends,” but government assures that the NIA will safeguard the integrity, confidentiality and security of citizen’s data it receives.

To register, residents must provide a passport or a residence permit.

Qualified foreign nationals must purchase a scratch card called FIMS to receive an ID. 

FIMS can be purchased at the NIA Premium Lounge Centre or any CAL Bank branch.