Ghana Civil Registration

Online Records

 * 1863-2003 - — images, for Accra only
 * Mostly 1950-2005 - British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Ghana, index and images, ($)
 * 1881-1994 - British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, index and images, ($)
 * 1796-2005 - British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)

Offices to Contact
National Archives of Ghana 21 Castle Road Adjacent YWCA, Adabraka P.O.Box GP 3056 Accra, Ghana GA Address GH-GA-050-7200 Website: http://praad.gov.gh/index.php/national-archives/ Regional offices:

Some civil registration records are also in: The National Archives, London Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU United Kingdom Contact form (in lieu of email): web form Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444 Website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Additional information: National Archives

SEE UNICEF Ghana

Historical Background
The efforts to create an archive started in 1946 and the first Ghanaian chief archivist was J. M. Akita in 1949.

Research use: Excellent for family and relationship linkage. A primary source.

Record type:Births, marriages, deaths, for Europeans and Africans.

Time period: 1872 to present.

SEE History of the National Archives

SEE Wikipedia, National Archives of Ghana

SEE UNICEF Ghana

Coverage and Compliance
Population coverage: Approximately 80% of the population, but only after ca. 1930. Before that, 40% of the population. British population:60%, native population: 40%.

Births

 * Name of person
 * Birth date
 * Parent’s names
 * Father’s occupation and residence
 * Sometimes mother’s age
 * Witnesses’ names, residence, occupation, and sometimes relationship

Regarding the child:
 * Name
 * Date of birth
 * Sex
 * Place of occurrence [of the birth]
 * Type of place of occurrence (hospital, home, etc.)
 * Date of registration
 * Place of registration
 * Attendant at birth
 * Type of birth (single, twin, triplet and so forth)

Regarding the mother of the child
 * Date of birth or age
 * Educational attainment
 * Place of usual residence
 * Children born alive to the mother during her entire lifetime
 * Birth order parity
 * Maiden name
 * Nationality

Regarding the father of the child:
 * Date of birth or age of the father
 * Educational attainment
 * Nationality
 * Occupation (whether gainfully employed)
 * Religion

Marriages

 * Names of candidates
 * Their residences
 * Marriage date
 * Sometimes parents’ or sponsors’ names and ages

The legal age for marriage is 21 years old for both sexes. Exemptions: Marriage between ages 18 and 21 requires parents’ consent.

Deaths

 * Name of deceased
 * Death and burial dates
 * Age
 * Residence at time of death
 * Occupation
 * Cause of death

Reliability: Excellent. Recognized as official records.