Mankranso (Ash), Dec. 14, GNA - About 126 births and deaths volunteers in the Ahafo Ano South District of Ashanti have been presented with bicycles to facilitate their work.

The presentation of the bicycles was made at a durbar of Chiefs, Assembly Members, Area Councillors and Departmental Heads organised by the Births and Deaths Registry in collaboration with the Ahafo Ano South District Assembly at Mankranso recently.

The durbar was aimed at educating the people on the importance of registering their births and deaths to enable the government have accurate data for planning.

Speaking at the function, Mr Stephen Balado Manu, Member of Parliament for the area stressed the importance of having accurate data on births and deaths in the country and said data on them aided the government in its economic, social and political planning.

He said data on births and deaths enabled the government to take the necessary steps on revenue collection, education and the provision of infrastructure and also helps with census.

Mr Kwaku Obeng Boateng, Ahafo Ano South District Chief Executive asked the people to embrace the exercise and said the district was among four others that were selected for the pilot project. He named the other districts as East Gonja in the Northern Region, Sunyani and Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region and Ejura in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Boateng asked the volunteers to handle the bicycles carefully to justify the confidence reposed in them by the community members and also urged them to be honest and be committed to the work. He asked that the district officer in charge of the Births and Deaths Registry would also be provided with a motorbike to enhance effective supervision.

Ms. Janet Simpey Adjei, the District Births and Deaths Officer commended the government and the district assembly for supporting the programme.

The support he said, had led to an increase in the registration of births from last year's figure of 651 to 852 this year. 14 Dec. 04