A ceremony to hand over marriage certificates took place in the Douala V Council June 9.

Collaboration between the Douala V Municipality and the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Promotion of the Family has again formalised the unions of 40 couples. Both ceremonies for the signing and handing over of certificates, officiated by the Mayor Françoise Foning, took place Saturday at the former Council Office of the Douala V Subdivision.

Nsoga Song Berthe Marie of the Ministry in the Subdivision disclosed that informal unions riddle the administrative unit, as there is rise in single parent families and a marked lack of perseverance in marriages. Reasons, she said, include parental irresponsibility, instability, violence, violation of succession rights, deserted families and children. As a result, the Ministry encourages couples to register for the legalisation of the unions.

She thanked them for choosing to enter into marriage as well as advised them to maintain the sacredness of the marriage as ordained by God Almighty.