On November 11th and 12th, 2024, key stakeholders gathered at the Global Dreams Hotel in the Northern Region of Ghana for a two-day training and sensitization workshop on marriage celebration and registration. This workshop was organized by the Registrar-General’s Department, in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service, Tamale. The event brought together representatives from various district assemblies, including the Statistical and Administrative Units of the Nanton District Assembly and others across the Northern Region. The purpose was to enhance understanding and collaboration in the process of marriage registration, ensuring compliance and accurate data collection across different marriage types.
Day 1 Highlights
The workshop kicked off on Monday, November 11th, with a warm welcome and registration session from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. This was followed by an opening prayer, setting the tone for a day filled with insightful presentations and interactive discussions.
The agenda was structured around three major presentations, focusing on different types of marriages:
1. Customary Marriages: The first presentation covered the specifics of customary marriages in Ghana, addressing both traditional practices and legal requirements for registration. The session provided an opportunity for participants to engage in a Q&A, clarifying doubts regarding the process and challenges of recording these types of marriages within their districts.
2. Muhammadan Marriages: The second presentation centered on Muhammadan marriages, which are marriages under Islamic law. The Registrar-General’s Department highlighted the importance of understanding cultural nuances and aligning registration practices with community expectations.
3. Christian and Other Marriages: The final presentation of the day, divided into two parts, focused on Christian marriages and other types of marriages. This session aimed to explain the official requirements for registering these marriages, including key data points that need to be collected for each marriage type.
In addition to the presentations, the workshop included a group photograph, snack breaks, and a lunch break, fostering networking and collaborative discussions among participants.
Day 2 Highlights
The second day, November 12th, was a shorter but equally engaging session, focusing on interactive group activities. Participants registered between 8:30 am and 9:00 am, followed by a breakout session that allowed representatives from different assemblies to share their challenges and success stories in marriage registration.
A coffee break provided a relaxed atmosphere for further networking, and the day concluded with closing remarks, summarizing key takeaways and outlining actionable steps moving forward. The workshop concluded at 11:30 am, leaving participants empowered with the knowledge and tools to improve marriage registration within their communities.
Impact and Next Steps
The involvement of the Nanton District Assembly’s Statistical and Administrative Units, along with other assemblies in the Northern Region, highlights the government’s commitment to strengthening local capacity for accurate data collection and compliance with marriage laws. By involving district representatives directly, the workshop sought to bridge gaps in understanding and foster a unified approach to marriage registration across the region.
The Registrar-General’s Department and Ghana Statistical Service provided participants with resources and guidelines for implementing the new systems for data collection. This initiative is a crucial step toward improving record-keeping and legal recognition of various types of marriages in Ghana, ensuring that all marriages are accurately documented.
Conclusion
The marriage registration sensitization workshop at Global Dreams Hotel demonstrated the importance of collaboration between national and district-level agencies. With the insights and tools gained, participants are now better equipped to implement standardized practices in marriage registration, thereby contributing to a more organized and reliable national database.
