The government has successfully resolved the recent disruption at the Births and Deaths Registry by supplying the much-needed specialized security paper, enabling the resumption of printing official birth and death certificates nationwide.
Minister for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, made the announcement on the floor of Parliament, noting that the delivery marks the end of a nearly two-month period during which thousands of applicants were left without vital documents due to a shortage of the security paper.
The special paper, which features advanced security elements such as the relief of the Ghana Coat of Arms, thermochromic ink, anti-copy void protection, micro text lines, and watermarks, is essential in safeguarding the authenticity and integrity of official certificates.
The absence of this paper severely hampered the Registry’s operations, resulting in significant backlogs and public frustration.
According to the Minister, the shortage arose from procurement delays identified earlier this year. Upon assuming office in March 2025, the acting Registrar conducted a stock assessment and flagged the imminent depletion of the security paper.
Consequently, a formal request was submitted to the Comptroller and Accountant General on 3 April 2025, with follow-up reminders on 15 April.
Despite initial setbacks, the procurement process was successfully completed, and the first batch of security paper was delivered to the Registry on 9 July 2025.
Minister Ibrahim assured Parliament and the general public that the Ministry remains committed to maintaining uninterrupted service delivery at the Births and Deaths Registry.
