According to Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the nominee for Chief Justice, possessing a birth certificate does not necessarily confirm an individual’s citizenship.
Justice Torkornoo emphasized that while a birth certificate serves as the initial step in establishing one’s nationality, it alone is insufficient to definitively prove citizenship.
During her appearance before the Appointments Committee on Friday, May 26, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the Chief Justice nominee, clarified that a birth certificate is merely an international requirement and not conclusive proof of one’s citizenship.
Justice Torkornoo emphasized that in Ghana, citizenship is determined by factors such as lineage and parental identity, rather than solely by being born within the country’s borders.
She stated that while a birth certificate is essential for recording birth details and ensuring compliance with international standards, it does not independently establish citizenship.
The Supreme Court has previously ruled that a birth certificate cannot be considered sufficient evidence of citizenship.
The court determined that a birth certificate does not fulfill the requirements outlined in Article 42 of the Constitution.
The ruling emphasized that a birth certificate does not serve as a form of identification, nor does it establish the bearer’s identity or link them to the information contained within the document, and that it does not provide valid evidence of citizenship.
“A birth certificate is not a form of identification. It does not establish the identity of the bearer. Nor does it link the holder with the information on the certificate.
Quite obviously, it provides no evidence of citizenship,” the Supreme Court ruling said.
