By Roselyn Ganyaglo
Staff of Births and Deaths registry has officially been transferred from the Civil Service to the Local Government Service.
The process which started about two years ago seeks to decentralize registration processes to aid development in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony in Accra, Deputy Minister of Local Government, and Decentralization, O. B Amoah said the role of the Births and Deaths registry is essential for planning, and a key factor in designing development interventions. He urged staff of the Service to sensitize and educate the public on their new status.
The Births and Deaths registry was established by Act 301 of 1965 to handle and develop the births and deaths registration system in Ghana. It’s core mandate is to provide accurate, timely and reliable information on births and deaths.
The transfer of 542 staff, therefore, is to ensure the full operationalization of the department at the decentralized level following the amendment of the registration of Births and Deaths Act 2020(Act 1027), to enable the registry function as departments of the District Assemblies. Deputy Minister of Local Government and Decentralization, O.B Amoah said the effectiveness of the registry will augment the works of the NIA and the Statistical Service.
The Registrar of Births and Deaths, Henrietta Lamptey was optimistic that the move will position the registry to better perform its core functions, saying registration of deaths is equally important. She indicated that the registry has been enrolled unto the Ghana Digital Payment Platform and is effectively operating.
Heads of Civil and Local Government Services both pledged their support for the transition process, while reassuring staff of smooth integration and adequate orientation to that effect.