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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched the 2025 National Family Planning Celebration with a call for stronger domestic investment to secure the country’s contraceptive needs and sustain progress in reproductive health.
That is not only vital for long-term sustainability and equity, but it will further help improve the quality and accessibility of services and sustain the gains made.
The Director of the Family Planning Division of the GHS, Dr Kennedy Brightson, who made the call, said significant progress has been made in expanding access to modern methods of contraception.
However, the withdrawal of donor funding could impact these gains.
“Declining donor funding has created gaps that threaten our progress. Ghana must strengthen its systems and ensure our family planning programme is never left vulnerable,” he urged.
The launch of the event to be held on the theme: “Empowering Choices, Strengthening Families for Ghana’s Future,” brought together policymakers, health leaders, development partners, civil society groups, and community stakeholders to take stock of achievements and challenges in family planning delivery.
Dr Brightson said steadily, progress has been made in improving reproductive health, attributing the progress to strong partnerships and the commitment of frontline health workers nationwide.
“We have seen more women, men and young people gaining access to modern methods, and we are closing some of the gaps that once held us back,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern about the sustainability of these gains, particularly in light of commodity security challenges.
The Executive Director of the Family Health Division of GHS, Dr Chris Fofie, highlighted the impact of shifting donor priorities.
“Humanitarian crises and global funding changes have left Sub-Saharan Africa vulnerable.
In Ghana, the withdrawal of a major donor has created a 45 per cent commodity gap, leaving us at a crossroads,” he said.
Dr Fofie called for action on three fronts: sustainable financing, resilient supply chains and stronger partnerships.
“The era of heavy donor reliance is fading. Ghana must begin to stand firmly on its own feet,” he emphasised.
For his part, the Director of the Institutional Care Division of GHS, Dr Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, reminded participants that family planning is not only a health service, but also a critical development strategy.
“Between 2000 and 2021, Ghana’s population rose by more than 60 per cent, with over 75 per cent of citizens under 35 years old.
This can be an opportunity for growth, but only if we invest in human capital, health, education and skills development,” he said.
He stressed that family planning helps reduce unintended pregnancies, prevents maternal deaths and enables women to pursue education and economic opportunities.
“For every cedi invested in family planning, Ghana reaps multiple returns in health, economic growth and national development,” he added.
