Births and Deaths Registry deserted as CLOGSAG strike hits week five

Five weeks into the nationwide strike by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG), its impact is being felt across key public institutions.

One of the hardest-hit sectors is the Births and Deaths Registry, where services have been completely halted, leaving frustrated applicants stranded.
At various nationwide registry offices, applicants arrived only to find empty premises and closed offices, with no staff to assist them.
Negotiations between the government and CLOGSAG remain deadlocked, with no resolution in sight.



The industrial action, triggered by the appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry, continues to disrupt critical services.

A visit by Channel One News to the Greater Accra Regional Office of the Registry revealed locked gates and an empty compound. Though some staff members were present, they were not attending to the public.
Frustrated applicants shared their experiences with Channel One News.




Kojo Attah, an applicant said, “I came here to do my Birth Certificate, since June 2024, they kept telling me the one who is supposed to sign is not around. They took my money and every day they give me one excuse or the other.

“I came to check on the status of my certificate and they said they are on strike, yet they take salaries. Why are they doing this? Is that how we work.”




Another applicant, Kingsford Coffie said, “I have been accepted to study abroad and came to collect my certificate. But I’m told they are on strike. If I don’t get it soon, it will have an impact on my plans.”

The effects of the strike extend beyond the Births and Deaths Registry. Several ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and Agribusiness and the Ministry of Works and Housing, have also been severely affected.

At the Trade Ministry, Channel One News encountered an individual who had been turned away due to the absence of staff.

The anonymous person said, “I’m from the University of Ghana Business School, I was asked to deliver a letter to the Ministry of Trade. But unfortunately, when I came, they told me no one was around. The place isn’t working. It’s really bad that there are no people working while we need their services. The issue needs to be fixed immediately.”

Source:citinewsroom.com