The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called on families to prioritise family planning and contraception to promote the health of women and children and ensure responsible population growth. This appeal was made by Dr Kennedy Brightson, the Director of Family Health at the GHS, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after a health walk and community activities in the La township. The events were part of the National Family Planning Launch 2026.
Dr Brightson emphasised that families must plan the number of children they can adequately care for, considering their economic circumstances and the health of women. He stressed that family planning is not solely a women's issue but requires the involvement of both men and women in making informed decisions about the size and wellbeing of their families. This, he believes, will help prevent challenges such as inadequate care and poor development of children.
The GHS is intensifying education on family planning through community engagements, radio, and television programmes to provide accurate information on family planning and contraception. Dr Brightson noted that interest in family planning is increasing, but occasional declines in contraceptive uptake could be linked to shortages of commodities rather than reduced interest. The GHS is working to address these shortages to ensure consistent access to family planning resources.
Dr Brightson also called on religious leaders to support family planning, citing their important role in educating their congregations on responsible parenthood. He believes that with the support of religious leaders, the message of family planning can reach a wider audience, encouraging more people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
A health walk and community activities were organised in the La township as part of the National Family Planning Launch 2026. The event brought together health professionals, particularly those in the family planning space, who provided women at the La Market, traders, and community members with family planning information, counselling, and services. The event also featured the distribution of contraceptives, including condoms.
Mr Paul Mensah, a National Fitness Instructor, led participants through aerobics after the walk, highlighting the importance of healthy living as an integral component of family planning. He stressed that regular exercise is essential for staying fit and healthy, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Mr Mensah believes that exercise, combined with proper healthcare, can help prevent various health conditions.
The event concluded with a commitment to promote family planning towards achieving healthy mothers, healthy children, and a healthy nation. The GHS and its partners aim to continue providing education, counselling, and services to support families in making informed decisions about their reproductive health. By working together, they hope to promote responsible population growth and improve the overall health and wellbeing of Ghanaians.
Key points
- The Ghana Health Service urges families to prioritise family planning and contraception to promote women's and children's health and responsible population growth.
