The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged Ghana to prioritize population data and demographic trends in its national development planning. This call was made by Dr. Wilfred Ochan, the UNFPA Country Representative in Ghana, at the UNFPA Media Forum on November 4, 2026. Dr. Ochan emphasized that reliable population data is critical to understanding the country's demographic changes and shaping policies that respond to the needs of its people.
Dr. Ochan highlighted the organization's collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in producing regional population profiles and demographic insights to guide national planning, policy formulation, and reporting. The UNFPA is also working with the Office of the President to reposition population issues as a central consideration in Ghana's development agenda. This partnership aims to ensure that population evidence informs decisions across key sectors, addressing the needs of women, girls, and young people.
The UNFPA's work in Ghana is built on partnerships with government institutions, traditional authorities, universities, civil society groups, and development partners. Dr. Ochan stressed that sustainable development requires strong local ownership and collaboration among institutions, noting that no single organization can achieve lasting change independently. The UNFPA remains committed to supporting Ghana with technical expertise, policy advice, evidence, and international experience to address population and reproductive health challenges.
Dr. Ochan identified ending preventable maternal deaths, eliminating unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices as key priorities under the organization's 2030 transformative agenda. He also urged journalists to go beyond reporting institutional activities and examine whether development partnerships and interventions are delivering meaningful results for communities.
The UNFPA Country Representative encouraged the media to maintain editorial independence, verify information, and report on women, girls, and young people with accuracy and dignity, particularly survivors of violence and vulnerable groups. He emphasized the importance of accurate and sensitive reporting, especially when dealing with survivors of violence and vulnerable groups.
The UNFPA's engagement with Ghana's development agenda is crucial, given the country's population growth rate of 2.1%, which is expected to double in 33 years. The organization's work with the GSS has also led to the production of regional population profiles, providing valuable insights for national planning.
The integration of population data into national development planning is essential for Ghana's sustainable growth and development. By prioritizing population data, Ghana can ensure that its development interventions address the needs of its people, particularly women, girls, and young people, and work towards achieving the UNFPA's 2030 transformative agenda.
Key points
- The UNFPA urges Ghana to prioritize population data in national development planning for evidence-based policies and sustainable growth.
- The organization collaborates with the Ghana Statistical Service to produce regional population profiles and demographic insights.
- The UNFPA's 2030 transformative agenda prioritizes ending preventable maternal deaths, eliminating unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
