The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Joseph Yieleh Chireh says it is illegal to bury a deceased relative without registration and acquisition of burial permit or death certificate. Mr. Yieleh Chireh has therefore warned that anyone who violates the provision will be dealt with in accordance with the laws regulating the interment of deceased persons. In order to ensure effective registration of deaths in Ghana, Mr. Yieleh Chireh said the various district assemblies have been urged to do more monitoring in the various cemeteries before allowing people to bury their dead. Mr. Yieleh Chireh said these Monday at the official launch of this year’s Birth/Death registration celebration scheduled to take place at Tepa in the Ahafo Ano-North district of the Ashanti Region on 16th September 2010 under the theme: Birth and Death Registration, the Basis for Effective National Planning. Speaking in an interview with Asempa News, Stephen Kwaku Amoah, Acting Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry Department, attributed the low level of death registration to some traditional beliefs. Mr. Amoah was however hopeful that the Registry will achieve its set target of 35% registration of deaths this year. Source: Afia Amankwaa-Tamakloe/Asempa News