By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), April 23, GNA – The Births and Deaths Registry (BDR), in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy, Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has organized a one-day capacity-building for all district registrars in the Volta Region on document fraud and identity awareness.
Held in Ho on Tuesday April 22, the training marked the first of its kind in Ghana, aimed at equipping BDR officers with the technical skills and vigilance necessary to identify fake documents, especially those used to fraudulently acquire identity cards and certifications.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Samuel Adom Botchway, Acting National Registrar of the BDR, emphasised the critical role of the registry in safeguarding national identity systems.
“This training couldn’t be timelier. Our ability to detect document fraud directly impacts the credibility of birth and death certificates, passports, the Ghana Card, and other vital identification records,” he said.
He noted that as Ghana works toward achieving SDG Goal 16.9—legal identity for all by 2030, BDR officers must be empowered to verify documents effectively and ensure that only authentic and legally valid records are issued.
Mr. Botchway stressed that detecting genuine security features is no longer the job of a few specialists, but a critical skill for every registrar.
“It is vital for national security, the integrity of our data systems, and public trust in our services,” he added.
Mr. Rodrigue Nzoyibuka, Counsellor for Justice and Migration Affairs at the Norwegian Embassy, stated that their partnership with the BDR reflects the strategic importance of identity management to both national and international security.
“Volta Region is a critical area due to its proximity to international borders. Strengthening identity systems here can significantly help in the fight against cross-border crime and document fraud,” he said.
He added that embassies often deal with fraudulently acquired documents, emphasizing the need for tighter systems and collaboration between BDR and international bodies.
Ms. Isabelle Suply, Immigration Liaison Officer at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, facilitated a practical session on document assessment techniques.
She explained that while detecting sophisticated forgeries may take years of experience, the training was designed to provide simple tools and techniques to help registrars identify red flags without needing advanced equipment.
“Most fraud we see is not from forged or counterfeit documents, but rather from individuals using fraudulently acquired identities—like changing birth dates to gain visa advantages,” she said.
Ms. Suply urged BDR officers to take their role seriously, as a fake identity issued at birth could undermine national security, enable crime, or lead to wrongful visa approvals.
“You might be handing out a legal document, but if the information behind it is false, it could have serious implications,” she warned.
The Volta Regional Registrar, Christopher Tsemiyoh Ayertey expressed gratitude to the national office and development partners, saying the training was a strategic step in the fight against document fraud—especially considering Volta’s location and proximity to Republic of Togo, Greater Accra, and Eastern Regions.
“We are often the first point of contact for identity registration. Officers must be trained to detect discrepancies and question suspicious information. Some certificates may look legitimate but carry false data, and that’s where this kind of intelligence training becomes crucial,” he explained.
He added that strengthening document verification at the local level will not only protect Ghana’s identity ecosystem but will also help prevent crime, migration fraud, and insurgency.
The BDR intends to scale up the initiative across other regions, as part of a broader campaign to promote genuine documentation, national security, and accurate population data management.
GNA
MA/KOA