The Dean of the University Cape Coast Business School, Prof. John Gatsi has waded in the debate over the decision of the Electoral Commission of Ghana to exclude the Ghanaian birth certificate as one of the primary documents required to prove citizenship to acquire voter’s ID card in the ongoing new voters registration exercise.
The decision of the Electoral Commission was challenged at the Supreme Court of Ghana but the apex Court gave its blessings to the EC hence the exercise started June 30, 2020 in accordance with C.I 126.
This, the lawyer on his Facebook post is asking “how can this primary document [birth certificate] be downgraded when it comes to determination of citizenship?”
According to Prof. Gatsi, “Ordinarily, issuance of a certificate is a process including filling of a form and vetting same. The actual issuance of a birth certificate by the registrar of Births and Deaths is a conclusive evidence of who the certificate says the one to whom it is issued to is.”
For the economist, “If a birth certificate issued in Ghana to a child born in Ghana to Ghanaian parents or parent is not capable of identifying whether or not the person or child is a Ghanaian, then a passport is just a glorified birth certificate notwithstanding the fact that it is only issued to a citizen.”
“What is the role of a birth certificate in NIA registration? Simply to prove citizenship.
What is the role of a birth certificate in application for a passport? Simply to prove citizenship.” – he quizzed
Per the C.I 126, the only primary documents required to prove citizenship to acquire voter’s ID card in the ongoing new voters registration exercise are Ghanaian passport and Ghana Card. Meanwhile, birth certificate is a primary document required to acquire Ghana Card and Ghanaian passport.
My Birth Certificate
My birth certificate indicates my name, names of my parents and their nationality. Ordinarily, issuance of a certificate is a process including filling of a form and vetting same. The actual issuance of a birth certificate by the registrar of Births and Deaths is a conclusive evidence of who the certificate says the one to whom it is issued to is.
If a birth certificate issued in Ghana to a child born in Ghana to Ghanaian parents or parent is not capable of identifying whether or not the person or child is a Ghanaian , then a passport is just a glorified birth certificate notwithstanding the fact that it is only issued to a citizen.
What is the role of a birth certificate in NIA registration? Simply to prove citizenship.
What is the role of a birth certificate in application for a passport? Simply to prove citizenship.
So how can this primary document be downgraded when it comes to determination of citizenship?
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com
