Accra: Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), emphasized the necessity for sustainable financing to secure Ghana’s achievements in Family Planning (FP). He warned that the country’s progress might face a setback if reliable funding is not guaranteed for the continuous availability and security of FP commodities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Akoriyea highlighted the recent disruptions in external funding, urging for increased domestic investment to safeguard contraceptive supply and protect the advancements in reproductive health. During the launch of the 2025 National Family Planning Week in Accra, he stressed the need for Ghana to fortify its systems and financing strategies to keep its family planning initiatives on course.
The FP week, scheduled from September 26 to October 3, revolves around the theme: ‘Empowering Choices, Strengthening Families, for Ghana’s Future.’ The Director-General remarked that family planning transcends mere access to contraceptives, offering individuals and families the power to make informed decisions that shape their lives and the country’s future.
He reiterated that family planning addresses the specific needs of adolescents, rural women, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities by reducing inequalities and dismantling social and cultural barriers. This approach ensures that family planning services are rights-based, inclusive, and responsive.
Ghana has reportedly made consistent progress in family planning through enhanced access to modern methods, effective policies, and dedicated health workers. While acknowledging the assistance from partners like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), he called for deeper integration of family planning into universal health coverage.
Dr. Kennedy Brightson, Director of Family Health Division at GHS, identified family planning as a crucial development strategy that reduces maternal and child mortality, empowers women, enhances educational opportunities, and accelerates progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Recent data indicates Ghana’s modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) at 28 percent, with significant unmet needs.
Concerns were raised about a noticeable commodity security gap following a recent halt in USAID’s contributions, which historically accounted for about 45 percent of Ghana’s contraceptive procurement. While UNFPA, WAHO, and the Government of Ghana contribute to the supply, these efforts fall short of bridging the gap.
Mrs. Angelina Kodua Nyanor, Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC), reaffirmed the centrality of family planning in achieving balanced population growth and socio-economic development. She emphasized the NPC’s commitment to collaborating with development partners to ensure Ghanaians have the right and ability to access family planning commodities for informed reproductive health choices.
According to WHO, family planning enables people to achieve their desired family size and control pregnancy spacing, supporting the fundamental human right to decide freely and responsibly. It offers significant health benefits by preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing related health risks. Family planning supports education and economic opportunities, aligning with SDG 3.7 for universal access to sexual and reproductive health care.