Ghana commits to universal access to sexual health

Ghana has committed to implement universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, as affirmed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, the government commits to reduce the maternal mortality rate of 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 and reduce maternal morbidities.

It will also enhance access for all adolescents and youth to culturally sensitive and age-appropriate, information, education as well as quality and responsive reproductive health services.

In addition, it will reduce to six percent, unmet need for family planning information and services by 2030 and universal availability of quality, affordable and safe modern contraceptives for all men, women and youth who need such services.

Furthermore, it will reduce deaths in children under-five, infant and neonatal mortality as well as enhance access for all vulnerable groups including persons with disability to the full complement of family planning information and service.

Ghana’s statement

These were contained in the country’s commitment statement delivered at the three day Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, organised by the Kenyan government, Denmark and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The main focus of the summit was the endorsement of voluntary global commitments largely centred on achieving zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices against women, girls and the youth (Three Zeros).

Delivering the statement, the Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Kodjo Mensah Abrampa, who was the head of Ghana’s 30-member delegation to the summit said Ghana stands committed to the SDGs (Agenda 2030), which re-echoes the ICPD by placing people, planet and prosperity at the centre of sustainable development, and leaving no one behind.

“These global and regional commitments are integral to Ghana’s national development aspirations as depicted in its 1992 Constitution, he said, therefore, the country pledges to invest in its continuous implementation, working with all stakeholders at national, regional, continental and global level,” he added

Unfinished business

He noted that Ghana had made substantial progress in addressing its reproductive health issues, however, progress has been slow in some areas, while substantial work would be required in others to accelerate progress.

Dr Abrampa indicated that progress has been made so far in school gender parity, childhood mortality, poverty reduction, maternal mortality, contraceptive prevalence rate as well as a conducive legal and policy environment for sexual and reproductive health and population programmes

“Nevertheless, the slow rate of improvement in some indicators as well as the emergence of new issues such as climate change, the youth bulge, the ageing population, increasing rate of non-communicable disease and irregular migration are persisting challenges,’ he noted

Harmful practices

Dr Abrampa said Ghana was also committed to address gender-based violence and the harmful practices of child, early and forced marriages and female genital mutilation.

This, he said, would be done by promoting changes in harmful socio-cultural norms and practices.

Financing

He also emphasised government’s commitment to mobilise the required financing to finish the ICPD Programme of Action and sustain the gains already made and to also  draw on demographic diversity to drive economic growth and achieve sustainable development.

Stressing on the importance of data in population management, Dr. Abrampa said government will enhance the availability of data for accountability and decision-making as well as strengthen internal and international partnerships for the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action.