Ghana’s fertility rate remains higher than the level considered favourable for countries seeking to transition from low-income to high-income economies, raising concerns about the growing pressure on schools, hospitals and road infrastructure.
Reproductive health specialist Dr Godfred Bonnah Nkansah has warned that Ghana must strengthen reproductive health education and services to help families make informed decisions about childbearing and improve the country’s long-term economic prospects.
According to Dr Nkansah, data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey put the country’s fertility rate at 3.9 children per woman, meaning the average woman is expected to have approximately four children during her lifetime.
He explained that countries making progress from low-income to high-income status tend to perform better when fertility rates fall within the range of 2.1 to 2.8 children per woman. At these levels, families and governments may find it easier to invest adequately in children’s education, healthcare and overall development.
Dr Nkansah noted that Ghana’s fertility rate remains approximately 1.1 children per woman above the upper end of that range, highlighting the need for increased access to reproductive health information and services for both men and women.
He made the remarks during a one-day media training programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and responsible journalism, organised by the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR).
The programme was designed to improve journalists’ understanding of reproductive health issues, strengthen public education and promote accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting. Participants also examined misinformation and emerging narratives surrounding sexual and reproductive health and gender-related issues.
Ghana’s Population Growth Puts Pressure on Public Services
Dr Nkansah warned that Ghana’s relatively high fertility rate has significant implications for public infrastructure and the delivery of essential services.
He explained that the increasing number of children is placing considerable pressure on the education system, with existing infrastructure and investments struggling to accommodate growing demand.
According to the reproductive health specialist, this situation could undermine the quality of education and human capital development if adequate resources are not provided to meet the needs of the growing population.
He also identified overcrowding in hospitals as another consequence of increasing population pressure, pointing to the persistent challenge of patients struggling to secure hospital beds.
Dr Nkansah said the country’s healthcare infrastructure must serve a growing population, making it increasingly difficult for existing facilities to meet demand without additional investment.
Road infrastructure is also under pressure as population growth increases the need for transportation networks and other public amenities.
He cautioned that failure to address these challenges could worsen poverty and make it more difficult for the government to provide essential socioeconomic services to an expanding population.
Reproductive Health Education Key to Sustainable Development
Dr Nkansah called for stronger reproductive health education and improved access to family planning services as part of efforts to address the challenges associated with Ghana’s fertility rate.
He emphasised that the objective should not be to impose a specific number of children on families but to encourage responsible parenthood and informed decisions about family size.
According to him, parents should consider their financial circumstances and ability to provide adequate nutrition, education, healthcare and other essential needs before deciding how many children to have.
He explained that family planning and reproductive health services can help individuals and couples make informed choices, improve family welfare and support sustainable national development.
The specialist also stressed the importance of providing reproductive health information to both men and women, noting that responsible decisions about childbearing require shared understanding and participation.
Ghana’s Fertility Rate Compared With Global and African Averages
Fertility rates vary across regions, reflecting differences in access to education, healthcare, family planning services and socioeconomic conditions.
Figures cited during the training placed the global average at 2.4 children per woman, compared with approximately 4.6 children per woman in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr Nkansah said Ghana’s fertility rate of 3.9 highlights the importance of sustained public education and accessible reproductive health services in supporting informed family planning decisions.
He added that investing in reproductive health and child development could help families improve their wellbeing while enabling the country to make better use of its human resources.
Media Urged to Promote Accurate Sex Education
Senior media practitioner Linda Asante-Agyei urged journalists to use their platforms to educate parents about the importance of providing age-appropriate sex education to adolescents.
She stressed that sexual health education plays an important role in helping young people understand their bodies, make informed decisions and access reliable information about reproductive health.
Asante-Agyei also encouraged media professionals to distinguish scientific evidence from personal opinions and misconceptions when reporting on adolescent health, sexuality and reproduction.
She noted that responsible journalism is essential to improving public understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and preventing misinformation from influencing discussions about young people’s health.
The ARHR training forms part of broader efforts to strengthen evidence-based reporting and encourage constructive public conversations about reproductive health, gender and family planning in Ghana.
Investing in Families and Human Capital Development
Ghana’s fertility rate debate highlights the relationship between reproductive health, population growth, poverty reduction and economic development.
Experts argue that improving access to family planning information, strengthening healthcare services and expanding educational opportunities can help families make informed choices while supporting the country’s development goals.
Ensuring that children receive quality education, adequate healthcare and essential social support is also important for building a skilled and productive workforce.
As Ghana works towards improving living standards and achieving sustainable economic growth, reproductive health education and responsible family planning remain important issues in discussions about public investment, human capital development and the future of the country’s economy.
Source: newsthemegh.com