The UNICEF representative in Ghana, Osama Makkawi Khogali, has raised urgent concerns over the widespread birth registration challenges in the Eastern Region, warning that many children remain invisible to government systems and deprived of essential services.

According to UNICEF, four in 10 children in the Eastern Region lack birth certificates, a troubling reality that excludes them from healthcare, education, and other vital social protections.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr Khogali emphasised the consequences of unregistered children being omitted from national statistics and development plans.

“When the child is not registered, the child is not counted. When we talk about how many children have been brought into education or are yet to be brought in, those who are not registered are not part of those numbers. This means the foundation for forward planning is flawed. Unregistered children almost do not exist — they are invisible,” he explained.

Mr Khogali underlined that birth registration goes far beyond a bureaucratic formality — it is a fundamental human right.

“It is very important, and it is a fundamental human right, that every child has an identity and is registered as a human being. I have witnessed in many countries the far-reaching impact of not registering children. The effects extend beyond the individual child and can pose a serious public health threat,” he said.

Drawing from his extensive international experience, he highlighted how unregistered children undermine vaccination coverage and increase vulnerability to disease outbreaks.

“I have seen how a lack of registration breaks countries. Despite high reported vaccination coverage, outbreaks still occurred because children who were not registered missed immunisations. For example, we had a polio outbreak even with huge coverage reported. Coverage statistics only account for registered children; unregistered children are left out. That shows just how crucial birth registration is,” he concluded.