21/08/2023
CHILD NAMING IN CAMEROON
Do you owning a name in Cameroon is a Fundamental Human Right enshrined in International and Regional Legal Treaties ?? 🤔
But According to Ordinance No. 81/2 of 29th June 1981 to organize Civil Status Registration, in as much as parents enjoy the right to name their children, it is forbidden to accord the latter a name that is improper or obviously ridiculous🙆🙆🙆.
For instance; Miss X dislikes her given name “Ekunidi”, 😱😱 which is an insult to a woman’s private part in parts of Momo Division of the North West region. Also, the name “Ngeh”, meaning “suffering” 🤗🤗 in Donga Mantung Division of the North West, is believed to cast a spell on its bearers or someone called “MEBINA”, meaning “testicles” in the Beti dialect. 🙆😝😝😝😝
The Law ⚖️ offers someone who considers that his given name is inconveniently legitimate, prejudicial, injures his dignity or honour, the possibility to get rid of it.👍👍
Section 35(3) of Ordinance No. 81/2 of 29th June 1981 to organize Civil Status Registration states that ;
However, the assignment of a name or first name that is improper or obviously ridiculous with respect to the law, public decency, customs and beliefs, shall be forbidden. The civil status registrar shall, in such cases, be bound to refuse to enter such name or first name in the certificate, and to invite the person making the declaration to suggest another or first name or to refer the matter to the president of the competent court within the time limit specified in the Article 33.
So please 🙏🙏🙏 let's be prudent, cautious and meticulous in choosing the right names for new bouncing babies to avoid embarrassments or undergoing the rigorous procedure of name changing in future.
After all Ignorance of the Law is not an Excuse.
In any case please do not hesitate to always consult your Lawyer ⚖️⚖️.
Bar Tekoh Theodore.
Kindly Like, Comment, Share & Follow my page
(For any Inquiries Whatsapp on 677569190)
