Document #1335164
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
A representative of the Ghanaian embassy in
Washington, DC stated that the date of registration of a birth is
the date on which the birth is officially registered (24 Aug.
1994). The representative explained that this date is different
from the date of birth, which is the date on which the person was
born. The representative further stated that many Ghanaians find it
unnecessary to register births until they apply for official travel
documents like passports, at which time they are required to prove
their date and place of birth (ibid.).
With regard to margin or column notes in a
certified true copy of an entry in a register of births, the
representative was unaware of such notes on a true copy of a birth
register or birth certificate. He stated that only the district or
regional office of the Department of Births and Deaths can issue
true copies of originals of birth registers or certificates, and
that they must contain the official seal of the department (ibid.).
The representative was unable to provide further details because
the embassy and its officials in Washington only handle issues
relating to Ghanaian passports and the issuance of entry visas to
Ghana. He stated that details on the registration of births could
be obtained from the department's headquarters in Accra. The DIRB
is unable to corroborate this information at the present time.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
Embassy of Ghana, Washington, DC. 24
August 1994. Telephone interview with representative.