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Disclaimer / Limitations
This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers and/or CRVS legal experts. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of the legal analysis, however, if you consider there to be any discrepancies or if there have been changes in the law of the country since our staff last updated the legal analysis, we welcome any additional information or insights. Please contact us via this form.
Death Registration
Ghana
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Ghana
Death Registration
Universal Coverage and Definition
Universal Coverage and Definition
Universal Coverage and Definition
Is death registration available and compulsory for all events occurring in the country's jurisdiction?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
To increase death registration rates, the law should provide that registration is available and compulsory to all deaths occurring in every geographical area and for every population group in the country, without discrimination. Examples of possible discriminations are: sex; race ethnicity, religion or population group; marital status; nationality, citizenship, residency or regugee/asylum status; or any other characteristic such as prisoners or persons with disabilities
Is registration of death available to citizens living abroad?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The death of a national who is abroad should be reported and registered in the country where the death occurred either by the next of kin or other person with knowledge of death. The death should also be reported to the embassy or consulate of the home country of the deceased.
The Registration of Births and Deaths Act is silent on the registration of deaths of Ghanaian citizens residing abroad, but the Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations state that they are applicable to deaths occurring overseas in respect of Ghanaian citizens. Thus, it appears that the procedures for registering deaths that take place abroad are the same as those for deaths occurring inside Ghana.
Does the law provide a clear definition of death? If yes, does the definition accord with international guidelines?
Yes death is defined by law and accords with international guidelines
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The provision of clear definitions in the law is an important tool to ensure the continuous and permanent recording of vital events in all areas. The UN's definition of death is: "The permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation)."
The Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations define “death” as “the permanent cessation of life in a person anytime after the live birth of that person”.
