Tema, Jan. 11, GNA - The Tema Department of Social Welfare recorded 829 cases in 2005 compared to 756 cases in 2004. In an annual report made available to the Ghana News Agency by the department, in 2004 it recorded 63 custody cases, 55 paternity cases, 43 general advice cases, 368 maintenance cases and 227 family reconciliation cases.

The report said out of the 756 cases 71 were referred to the Family Tribunal Court because those were beyond the jurisdiction of the department.

Giving a breakdown of the 829 cases handled in 2005, the report said there were 49 custody cases, 31 paternity cases, 114 general advice cases, 266 maintenance cases and 369 family reconciliation cases out of which 53 were sent to court.

With only a few days into 2006, the department has already recorded 19 cases as at Wednesday January 11.

Two of the 19 cases are for custody, one for paternity, seven for maintenance and nine for family reconciliation and none has been referred to the courts.