By Landing Colley
The National Assembly select committee on health, women, children, Deserter, humanitarian relief and refugee in collaboration has reviewed the births, deaths and marriage registration amendment Bill 2020.
The review of the Bill was done along with other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking during the review process, the committee’s chairman Ousman Sillah said: “the repealing of section 16 stated that the parent of a child to give notice of birth within thirty days which then 14 days. Sub-section (1) stated that the parent of a child shall, within thirty days after the birth of the child, give notice of the birth either verbally or in writing to the registrar or deputy registrar of the district or place in which the birth occurred.”
“While sub-section (2) said a person, who fails to comply with sub-section (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred dalasi, or in default of payment of the fine to imprisonment without hard labor, for a term not exceeding one month,” he added.
The stakeholders’ recommendation about section 16 sub-sections (1) and (2) said: “to give notice of the child ‘verbally’ should be deleted. All notice of birth should be given in written form as that is more authentic.”
They also commented on the fine of five hundred dalasi that it is also low it needs to be raised to five thousand dalasi while they disagreed with the term of imprisonment. They said a lady cannot be put in prison while breast feeding her child. Because she has to go with her child as they suggest that the responsibility will be on the Father instead of the Mother.
Section 17 of birth, death and marriage registration amendment Bill has been repealed while Section 18 has been amended.
Nevertheless, the repeal and replacement of section 19, which stakeholders has agreed subsection (1) stated where a child is born to parents who are not married at the time of birth.
“Subsection (1) (a) stated that the registrar of Deputy Registrar shall not enter in the register the name of any person as father of the child, unless at the joint request of the mother and of the person acknowledging himself to be the father of the child; while (b)stated that if the person alleged to be the father of the child refuses to acknowledge himself to be the father of the child, the registrar or deputy registrar shall not enter in the register the name of that person, unless a paternity order is obtained from the children’s court confirming the father of the child.”
“Section 19 sub-section (2) (a) further stated where the person alleged to be the father of the child fails to acknowledge himself to be the father of the child, or (b) the mother of the child does not provide the name of the father, the registrar or deputy registrar shall, at the request of the mother register the birth of the child with the particulars of the mother.”
