The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has disclosed that Ghana recorded a total of 78,909 deaths in 2025, underscoring the need to strengthen the country’s civil registration systems.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on birth and death registration, the Minister noted that the figure was captured through the operations of the Births and Deaths Registry, the state agency mandated to document vital events across the country.
According to the Minister, while the recorded number provides some insight into mortality trends, it is likely not a complete reflection of all deaths that occurred within the year. He explained that challenges such as delayed reporting, limited access to registration centres in remote areas, and low public awareness continue to affect comprehensive data collection.
He stressed that accurate and timely death registration is critical for national planning, policy formulation, and the allocation of resources, particularly in the health sector. Reliable data, he added, helps government track disease patterns, assess the impact of public health interventions, and improve social services.
The Minister further highlighted ongoing efforts by government to digitise registration processes and expand outreach services to underserved communities. These measures, he said, are aimed at making it easier for families to register deaths and obtain official documentation.
He also called on traditional authorities, religious leaders, and local assemblies to support the campaign to improve registration rates by educating their communities on the importance of reporting deaths promptly.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Births and Deaths Registry and other stakeholders to enhance data accuracy and ensure that every life event is properly documented as part of Ghana’s development agenda.
