Monrovia – The Bureau of Vital Statistics, a Ministry of Health department responsible to print birth and death certificates, has disclosed that under the watchful eyes of ‘caretaker’ Mary T. Broh, it issued out at least 31,000 birth certificates in nine months.
Report by Edwin G. Genoway – edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline
The Bureau made the disclosure at program marking the official turning over ceremony by the outgoing Acting Principal Registrar Mary Broh to her successor, Prince Momolu Kaba.
Making remarks at the turning over ceremony, Madam Broh, who is the Director General of the General Services Agency (GSA), said under her administration, services at the birth certificate office improved speedily.
She further indicated that since she took over last July,the bureau was able to generate Liberian$1.5 million (US$11,111 at street exchange rate of LD$135 to US$1).
“The L$1.5M generated from July last year up to present is only from reprinting of birth certificate and not the the actual issuance of the certificate itself,” she disclosed; adding: “And this money is with the Ministry of Finance.”
She thanked employees for working along with her during her short stay at the Bureau.
Madam Broh used the occasion to urge the Ministry of Finance and her successor to use portion of the LD$1.5M as bonus for the employees of the bureau.
“This is not money that was collected from the original fee charged for birth certificate. It was generated from only reprint so portion of that money can be used to give the employees bonus,” she said.
The GSA Director General warned the new head of the bureau, Mr. Prince Momolu Kaba, to not be intimidated by lawmakers who will want their interest to get birth certificates at all cost.
“Do your job without fear and favor; do not be intimidated by legislators. If they come and tell you to give certificate to some of their friends, don’t do it,” she said.
Madam Broh urged Kaba and his team to discourage the act of telling people ‘go and come back.’
“Don’t turn your back on people. Do not get used to telling people go and come back tomorrow. Be robust and active on the job. You and your team should be customers friendly and talk to people nicely,” she stressed.
Madam Broh, who once served as the Acting City Mayor of Monrovia at which time she earned the nickname ‘General Broh’ because of the way she made things happened for the beautification of the city, used the occasion to urge the bureau’s employees to get involve with voluntary service.
“Sacrificing for your country should be your first goal, everything is not about money.”
She handed over to her successor relevant items, including the stamps and the Seal of Liberia.
In brief remarks, Kaba, the new Principal Registrar, promised to do his best and to remain committed to working for his country at all times. He thanked Madam Broh for improving the bureau while she took care.
“I am glad to serve my country at the level of the Bureau of Vital Statistics. I also thank you Madam Broh for the level of transformation you have brought to this Bureau.”
He called on her to continue providing consultancy for the bureau.
The Bureau has the mandate to produce birth and death certificates, collect, compile and disseminate health information (data), supervise health research, and monitor health programs in the country.