Births and Deaths Registry receives security papers, begins clearing backlog
The Births and Deaths Registry has received 181,000 copies of the specialised security paper, paving the way for the resumption of printing of certified copies of birth and death certificates across the country.
The papers arrived on July 10, following an emergency intervention by the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to address the shortage.
In recent months, the registry has been struggling with a severe shortage of the specialised security paper used to print certified copies of birth and death certificates.
This shortage, caused by delays in procurement and supply, led to widespread public frustration and operational challenges across the registry's offices nationwide.
Backlog
In an interview with the Daily Graphic last Monday, the Births and Deaths Registrar, Samuel Adom Botchway, confirmed that the registry had been supplied with a total of 2.5 million copies of the extract security paper, with the remaining tranches expected by the end of this month.
He said the supply would be sufficient to ensure uninterrupted production of certified copies until the end of the year.
He added that distribution of the papers to all 16 regions was currently underway, and all regions were expected to receive their allocations by today, July 16.
To address the current backlog, he said regional offices had been directed to work around the clock over the next 14 days.
“We currently need 881,000 copies to clear the backlog, and with what we’ve received and what’s coming, we are confident this will be done in time,” he noted.
In addition to the extract papers, he said the Registry had also taken delivery of 800,000 copies of free birth certificates for first-time registrations.
Decentralised system
Mr Botchway indicated that the printing had been decentralised and, therefore, urged the public not to travel to Accra for their certificates.
“Wherever you made your application, just go to the regional office with your receipt, your certificate will be printed for you there,” he said, adding that the new digital system would now issue certificates with a secure electronic signature from the registrar.
He cautioned the public against dealing with middlemen and unauthorised agents who claimed to offer birth certificates.
He said such engagements often led to fraudulent documents, which were rejected when individuals sought services with them.
“We have over 470 offices nationwide in all 261 districts.
There’s absolutely no need to go through third parties. If you deal with people outside our system and you’re issued a fake certificate, we may not be able to help you,” he cautioned.
On efforts to improve coverage, Mr Botchway said the Registry had initiated community-level engagements with assembly members and local leaders as part of preparations for a nationwide mass registration exercise.
“We’ve begun sensitisation campaigns using traditional media and local structures.
Our field officers will move to various communities with support from local leaders to register children and issue them instant certificates using our automated systems,” he explained.
