Blocking of Sim Cards: Parliament Must Intervene Now – NDC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the Parliament of Ghana, specifically Parliament’s Select Committee on Communications to call the Minister of Communications and the National Communication Authority (NCA) to order over the sanctions meted out to SIM card users yet to reregister their cards.

In a statement registering their displeasure, the party stated that the actions of the Minister and the NCA have been arbitrary and lawless, having no constitutional backing whatsoever and thus must be halted.

“It is an indisputable fact that the re-registration of mobile SIM cards policy and its attendant sanctions that are being meted out to Ghanaians by the Ministry of Communications and the National Communications Authority are neither backed by the SIM Registration Regulations, 2011 (L.I 2006) nor the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I 2111) or any law in force in the country.

“The decision by these entities to restrict the SIM Cards of Ghanaians including those who have already re-registered their SIM Cards is therefore unlawful, irresponsible and unacceptable to say the least,” part of the statement signed by General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia read.

They have unequivocally condemned the actions of the Ministry and the NCA for “such mishandling and crass bungling of a simple exercise such as the ongoing SIM card re-registration,” and are demanding that Parliament’s Select Committee on Communications halts the actions of Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu and the NCA.

Meanwhile, the party has commended individuals and groups who have taken legal actions against the government over the Communication Ministry and the NCA’s actions.

“While we commend and encourage legal actions filed by citizens of the country who have been affected by the reckless SIM Card restrictions, we call on the Parliament of Ghana, particularly the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications to call the Minister of Communications and the NCA to order in line with its oversight responsibility over these state entities.

“The lawlessness being displayed by the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu and the NCA must be halted now.”