The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana has issued a clarification to address widespread misconceptions surrounding the Telecel SIM card initiative, emphasising that the package is not free, as many students had previously believed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the SRC clarified that, contrary to popular belief, the SIM card distribution initiative was never intended to be free for all students. The Council referred to an earlier communiqué dated January 25, 2025, which informed students that the initiative would come at a cost.
“This initiative, as introduced by the SRC in 2023 and subsequently agreed upon in 2024, imposes a billing amount of GHS 10.22 per month for all students. Level 100 students have already been billed this amount and are receiving their SIM cards during the first semester. Continuing students will be billed in the second semester, and SIM distribution will take place at the beginning of that semester,” the statement explained.
The SRC also outlined the billing structure for the academic year in its July 1 statement, saying, “Level 100 students who picked up the SIM cards in the first semester are being billed GHS 122.64 (for the academic year). Continuing students and Level 100 students who pick up the SIM cards in the second semester will be billed GHS 61.32 (for the second semester).”
This clarification follows growing concerns and confusion among students who had assumed the SRC-led initiative was a fully sponsored, cost-free package. The current SRC leadership explained that the initiative was approved by the 65th SRC administration and implemented by the 66th SRC administration, before the tenure of the current 67th SRC executives.
To promote transparency and gather feedback, the SRC said it has launched a portal where students can submit concerns regarding the policy’s implementation.
Students with specific billing complaints are encouraged to visit the Students’ Accounts Office directly for resolution.
The SRC reiterated its commitment to student welfare and transparent communication, assuring the student body that all feedback will be relayed to university management and relevant stakeholders for prompt attention.
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Story by Klenam Joachim | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Michelle Lartey
