Need for efforts to reduce Ghana’s population growth – Lecturer

Mrs Delali Badasu, Lecturer at the Institute of Population Studies, University of Ghana, has called for the introduction of measures to reduce the rate of Ghana’s population growth.

She noted that the world’s population estimated to reach seven billion by October 31 this year, with Ghana contributing one per cent, there was the need to institute measures to reduce her population growth rate.

Mrs Badasu made the call when addressing the Third Quarterly Youth Colloquium of Children and Youth in Broadcasting (Curious Minds), on the theme “Ghana in A World of Seven Billion, Challenges and Opportunities for Youth Development” in Accra.

She noted that infant and maternal mortality, reproductive health, teenage pregnancies, HIV and AIDS, population related environmental degradation, poor diet, drug abuse, high school drop-out, and unemployment were some challenges facing the youth in the world.

However, Mrs Badasu noted that free basic education, free lunch and uniform in basic schools, health delivery, scholarship for needy children, introduction of the National Youth Employment Programme, and other youth development programmes were some measures instituted by Government to help reduce the negative impact of population growth in the country.

She said before the 20th Century, the world’s population was growing slowly until there was a phenomenal growth of population, growing at three per cent annually in some regions of the world.

Mrs Badasu announced that the world’s population was expected to reach 8.1 billion by 2050, and Africa’s population 2.1 billion within the period, adding that rapid population growth had become a liability which had an effect on economic progress and implications on the socio-economic development of a country.

Mr Bernard Coqueline, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said challenges and how to create opportunities for people, were some actions to be taken to advance the course of development.

He said the world’s population at seven billion this year, was a call to action by all stakeholders to address problems, reducing inequality and ensuring the well-being of the people.

Mr Coqueline called on the youth to sharpen their minds since the world now was more connected and provided an opportunity to come together to contribute to the world’s development.

Source: GNA