GOVERNMENT URGED TO PROMOTE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN GHANA

GOVERNMENT URGED TO PROMOTE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN GHANA
Available statistics indicate that successive governments financial commitment
towards the promotion of Reproductive Health in Ghana is on the decline since
2003.


The statistics depicted that government’s contribution towards that drive is
far below 25%.


This worrying situation is affecting the remarkable efforts made by the Ghana
Health Service, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana in collaboration
with Non Governmental Organizations whose programmes are geared towards
deepening awareness creation on Reproductive Health in Ghanaian societies.


In view of this, some concerned bodies have expressed their deepest worry about
the

rate at which the advocacy on Reproductive Health is sinking in Ghana.



This came to light a day’s regional Reproductive Health Fair dubbed “It is time
to take charge” organized by the Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre
(NORSAAC) in Tamale.

Alhassan Mohammed Awal, Executive Director of the Northern Sector Action on
Awareness Centre (NORSAAC) an NGO implored government to place premium on
Reproductive Health activities by increasing its financial commitment towards
that drive.


“In view of the declining donor support: government now has the clear
responsibility to move from donorship to ownership in the area of Reproductive
Health supplies particularly contraceptives” he emphasized.


Alhassan Mohammed Awal expressed his organization’s fear that Ghana might not
meet her Millennium Development Goals especially the MDG’s 4 and 5 if vigorous
measures are not put in place to increase funding for Reproductive Health
activities.


He therefore made several recommendations among which NORSAAC asked government
to invest in family planning and contraceptive security by incorporating
it into the national budget.


Alhassan Mohammed Awal also underscored the need for government to review its
economic policies to prioritize family planning and contraceptive security in
Ghana through which the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
should allocate funds to sponsor Reproductive Health programmes.

Chief Alhassan Issahaku Amadu Bomaha-Naa, the northern regional population
Officer chaired the Fair which attracted stakeholders from the District
Assemblies, the Ghana Health Service, NGOS, religious groupings and the academia
and they were later taken through some exhibition stands.