The Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry, Mr. Samuel Adom Botchwey, has clarified that one of the institution’s key responsibilities is the facilitation of documentation for the exportation and importation of human remains.

Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson on the Ghana Yensom morning show on Accra 100.5 FM on Friday, Mr. Botchwey explained that the Registry plays a crucial role in managing the legal and administrative processes involved when a person dies either in Ghana or abroad.

According to him, when a foreigner dies in Ghana, the Births and Deaths Registry is the accredited authority responsible for preparing and authenticating the necessary documents for the exportation of the body to the deceased’s home country for burial.

“In the same way,” he noted, “when a Ghanaian dies outside the country and the family wishes to bring the body home for burial, the Births and Deaths Registry is the only institution mandated to handle the documentation for the repatriation of the remains into Ghana.”

Mr. Botchwey emphasised that the exportation and importation of bodies form a core mandate of the Registry, in addition to its primary function of registering births and deaths across the nation.

He further explained that while hospitals record births and deaths, it is the Registry’s role to officially register them, ensuring that the government has accurate demographic data for policy formulation and national planning.

Highlighting the Registry’s national presence, Mr. Botchwey revealed that it operates 261 offices nationwide, with many situated within major hospitals to ensure effective service delivery.

He reiterated the institution’s commitment to maintaining comprehensive and credible vital statistics, which serve as the foundation for planning in areas such as health, education, and social welfare.

“Our work goes beyond issuing certificates — it supports national development and international coordination in matters of identity and mortality,” Mr. Botchwey affirmed.