Eastern Region records increase birth rate

Koforidua, March 4, GNA- The Department of Births and Deaths, last year registered 45,042 births in the Eastern Region as against 36,999 in 2003.

The number of babies registered increased from 20,053 in 2003 to 28,745 in 2004 while 9, 340 deaths were recorded in 2004 and 9,023 in 2003.

The Regional Registration Officer of Births and Deaths, Mr Abdul Elijah Karim made this known to the Ghana News Agency in Koforidua. He said the increase in the registration of births was due to the abolition of the fees charged for children between zero and one year and vigorous public education.

Mr Karim said the education exercise was however hampered by inadequate personnel, financial and logistical constraints. He said there was the need to train more personnel and volunteers to be able to boost data collection in Region.

Mr Karim called on parents to register their children immediately after birth since "it is not the responsibility of the child to register him or herself".