Tamale Births and Deaths Registry Held Hostage by Rogue IT Officer

The Births and Deaths Registry is a vital state institution tasked with delivering essential services to the public. However, in Tamale, the Northern Regional office has become a place of frustration and despair for citizens due to the conduct of one staff member — Mr. Gafaru, the Head of IT and Correction Officer. Investigations and testimonies from affected residents reveal that Mr. Gafaru’s unprofessional attitude has crippled service delivery, leaving many without critical documents such as birth and death certificates.

Chronic Absenteeism and Lateness
Citizens complain that the officer often arrives at work as late as 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m., and sometimes never returns after lunch breaks. He also closes earlier than the official time, abandoning long queues of clients. This has forced many to travel repeatedly to the office without success.

Deliberate Frustration of Clients
As the only officer responsible for IT and corrections, Mr. Gafaru has created a bottleneck. Citizens recount spending days and weeks searching for him, with no delegation of duties in his absence. Staff members claim they have been instructed not to share his contact, further worsening the situation.

Rudeness and Disrespect
Many clients, including chiefs, elderly citizens, and parents in urgent need of documents, describe their encounters with him as humiliating. Reports of rudeness and open disregard for elders have painted the office environment as hostile and unwelcoming.

Monopoly of Service
By holding sole authority over IT and corrections, he is accused of abusing his position, making himself appear indispensable while frustrating the public. This abuse of monopoly not only delays service but also tarnishes the reputation of the Registry, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Ghana Civil Service.

Voices of the People

• “I have been coming here for over a week, and the officer is never around. When I ask for his number, the staff say they can’t give it.” – A father in need of a correction on his child’s birth certificate.
• “How can one officer hold the entire birth and death registry in Tamale hostage because of his bad attitude? We are tired.” – A frustrated mother.
• “This is a public office, not his private shop.” – A community elder.

Consequences and Risks
The officer’s conduct has eroded public trust in the institution. Citizens face financial and emotional stress as they spend money on transport only to leave empty-handed. There are also fears that continued neglect could trigger wider public anger.

Call for Immediate Action
Concerned citizens and journalists are calling on the Ministry of Local Government, the Director-General of the Births and Deaths Registry, the Civil Service, and traditional authorities — including His Majesty the Yaa Naa — to intervene. They demand investigations, disciplinary action, and, if necessary, the transfer or removal of Mr. Gafaru to restore professionalism at the Registry.The Births and Deaths Registry is a pillar of public service, and its credibility is at stake. For the people of Tamale, urgent intervention is not optional — it is a necessity.

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