UNFPA urges Ghana to make population data central to national development planning

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called on Ghana to place population data and demographic trends at the centre of its national development planning to support evidence-based policies and sustainable economic growth. The UNFPA Country Representative in Ghana, Dr Wilfred Ochan, said reliable population data was critical to understanding the country’s demographic changes and shaping policies that respond to the needs of its people. He said population evidence should inform decisions across key sectors to ensure that development interventions address the needs of women, girls and young people. Dr Ochan made the remarks at the UNFPA Media Forum on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Dr Ochan, his deputy and staff of UNFPA, Ghana in a group photo with some partners and journalists at the forum He highlighted the organisation’s collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in producing regional population profiles and demographic insights to guide national planning, policy formulation and reporting. He also cited UNFPA’s engagement with the Office of the President to reposition population issues as a central consideration in Ghana’s development agenda. According to him, the organisation’s work in Ghana is anchored in partnerships with government institutions, traditional authorities, universities, civil society groups and development partners. He stressed that sustainable development required strong local ownership and collaboration among institutions, noting that no single organisation could achieve lasting change independently. Dr Ochan said UNFPA remained committed to supporting Ghana with technical expertise, policy advice, evidence and international experience to address population and reproductive health challenges. He further identified ending preventable maternal deaths, eliminating unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices as key priorities under the organisation’s 2030 transformative agenda. The UNFPA Country Representative also urged journalists to go beyond reporting institutional activities and examine whether development partnerships and interventions were delivering meaningful results for communities. He 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.