Births and Deaths Registry Closed Down

Confusion between authorities of the Births and Deaths Registry in the Wa Municipality has brought official activities to standstill for over two weeks. This has degenerated into a public outcry with frustrated persons most of whom are nursing mothers calling into local radio stations to complain. They lamented that for over two weeks residents within the municipality are unable to access services such as registrations of fresh births and deaths as well as directives on how to swear affidavits. Others claimed they had made earlier payments to enable them pick up their certificates but due to closure they were currently in limbo. Explaining the situation to Daily Guide, Jamani Kugbe, the Department’s Municipal Officer, said the situation came about following the locking up of necessary logistics by Regional Director, Daniel Adade. According to him after the regional boss had called for the closure of stores at the department; he travelled outside the region and issued a stern warning through his Deputy David Kumiyat that no material should leave the office in his absence. Meanwhile there are widespread allegations that Mr. Adade runs the department with an iron fist and takes unilateral decisions to cover up underhand dealings. Sections of the public interviewed expressed fears that they might pay high fees and other associated penalties for late birth or death registrations. Daily Guide is reliably informed that since the closure, more than 200 persons have been turned away as the officer-in-charge told them in plain words there were no materials for him to execute his duties. The Wa Municipal Chief Executive this paper gathered had been petitioned on the matter and has promised to resolve the matter as soon as possible. When contacted Mr. Adade admitted administrative problems existed in his outfit pertaining to birth and death registrations but denied the municipal offices had been closed down. According to him, he was currently engaged in the brawl with Mr. Kugbe and had since directed all transactions within the municipality to be done at the regional offices admitting he failed to make a public announcement to that effect. Mr. Adade explained the Municipal officer was among 7 others who had been affected in a regional shake-up but failed to honour his transfer to Jirapa, his new duty post. It was against this background he gave instructions that no logistics should be issued him until he complied with the new official directive. “He is a liar and a murderer peddling in all manner of falsehood,” he remarked. Mr. Adade indicated that his subordinated staffer was a civil servant and could be transferred to any part of the country in accordance with the code of conduct of civil servants, wondering why Mr. Kugbe in particular was trying to make a mandatory requirement so difficult. Investigations by Daily Guide however, reveal the shake-up in sub departments of the Births and Deaths Registry have been received with fierce resistance by the affected officers prompting a petition. It was gathered the affected officers were considering calling for the replacement of their regional boss and his deputy for alleged gross incompetence and corrupt practices, among other things. Source: Daily Guide