The Tema Metropolitan Registry of Births and Deaths in 2012 recorded a total of 15,444 births, comprising 8,242 males and 7,202 females.

Madam Hannah Twumesi-Ankrah, Tema Metropolitan Dirctor of Births and Deaths Registry, revealed this in a presentation recently during a two-day data review conference organized by the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate.

Madam Twumesi-Ankrah said out of the total, 10,378 were children aged below one year, consisting of 5,280 males and 5,098 females.

She added that during the period, a total of 2,478 deaths were also recorded, consisting of 1,342 males and 1,136 females.

She indicated that of the 2,478 deaths recorded by her outfit, as many as 2,468 were medically certified, while uncertified deaths totaled 10.

Madam Twumesi-Ankrah said birth registration for babies under one year is free, likewise registration of deaths within 14 days of occurrence.

She, however, pointed out that late registration of births and deaths attract some penalties covering registration fees, searches and extract of documents.

The Metro Births and Deaths registrar said her outfit collected a total amount of GHc106,050 as penalties for the registration of births and deaths in the Metropolis.

She said the Tema Metropolitan Office had six Registries under it, namely Tema Main, Manhean, Tema General Hospital, Tema New Town, Kpone Health Centre and Tema West Sub-Metro.

With only four field staff and 11 personnel from the National Youth Employment Programme, the Registry depends on outreach registration centres, weighing centres, mass registration programmes, and the various registries for the collection of data, Madam Twumesi-Ankrah explained.