The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has cautioned the public against the purchases and use of pre-registered SIM cards, as the act amounts to fraud.
Speaking at the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) held in Accra on Friday, the CEO of the Chamber, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey said the pre-registered SIM cards compromises everyone on the network and industry regulators are ever committed to fighting the menace.
This year’s event is being organized under the theme “Trusted Smart Products” and the event was aimed at educating traders, commuters and the general public in the safe use of mobile technologies, applications and services provided by mobile network operators.
The CEO said, “with the growing economic and social importance of mobile services, particularly the mobile internet and mobile financial services, there is a corresponding demand from stakeholders, both customers, mobile operators and government, to ensure that the over 41million connected SIM cards in Ghana’s market can continue to enjoy them safely and securely.”
The market activation highlighted the importance of security at the heart of the industry’s evolution and the development of new digital products and services. Customers were educated to avoid the purchase and use of fake phones as well as preregistered SIM cards and to report wayward merchants and/or persons who trade in such products to the law enforcement authorities.
Customers were admonished on safer practices and use of mobile financial services (mobile money) to safeguard them from fraudsters and other common crimes that hurt consumers.
“Consumers have rights and equally have responsibilities, and we will work with our customers to ensure they do not compromise on their security and data privacy as they gain access to new services, more responsive products, greater convenience and choice.” said Kenneth.
World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD)
The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is celebrated on March 15, worldwide. It is an occasion for expressing solidarity within the international consumer movement. It marks the date in 1962 when President John F Kennedy first outlined the definition Consumer Rights.
Various countries take opportunity of the day to educate consumers and the general public on their rights to be respected and protected. Other countries also use the day to protest against consumer abuse and mishandling.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
