RGD Commends Responsible Fathers

Marketing and Planning Manager of the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), Nicole Robinson, is commending responsible Jamaican fathers who ensure that their particulars are added to their children’s birth certificates.
“Up to 2006, only 35 per cent of the children being registered had their fathers’ particulars added to their birth records. However, this figure has increased to 66 per cent since bedside registration was introduced by the RGD,” Miss Robinson said.
She was speaking at a function to honour fathers, at the RGD headquarters in St. Catherine, on June 19.
Miss Robinson encouraged wives, girlfriends and children to honour and love their men and fathers.

Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), Ventora Cyrus (left), makes a presentation to Alfred Brooks, at a Father’s Day function, held at Twickenham Park, in St. Catherine, on June 19.

At the same time, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kerry-Ann Crossbourne, who read a poem in exhortation of fathers, had strong words for those who do not play their expected nurturing and caring roles.
“A father who does not take care of his children is worse than an infidel,” she said, quoting words from the book of Timothy, in the bible.
Under the present law, the father’s particulars cannot be added to a birth certificate if the father is absent. However, the mother has the right to name her child and use the father’s surname even if the father is not present.
The management and staff of the RGD took the opportunity to give gifts to the fathers who came to do business at the agency on June 19, and made sure that every father present received a memento. The gifts were provided by LIME, Digicel, Andre’s Auto Supplies and Hotel Four seasons.