OP-ED
INVESTING IN CHOICE TO BUILD A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR GHANAIAN WOMEN
Every girl and woman have the freedom to choose whether, when, and with whom to have children. As a basic human right, this is not a privilege. Under the global theme “A Choice for All – Agency, Intention, Access” on this World Contraception Day, we are reminded that decisions about sexual and reproductive health go beyond health outcomes; they are about equality, opportunity, and dignity.
Yet reproductive agencies remain far from reality. Globally, 257 million women wish to avoid pregnancy but are not using safe, modern contraception. Half of all pregnancies are unplanned, with 121 million occurring each year. The consequences are devastating, unsafe abortions, preventable maternal deaths, interrupted education, and deepening poverty. In 2024, UNFPA-supported contraceptives prevented 18 million unintended pregnancies, 7.5 million unsafe abortions, and 39,000 maternal deaths. These are not just statistics, but lives saved, and futures secured.
In Ghana, tremendous progress has been made on Family Planning. The Modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) is up from 22% to 28% in eight years. The challenges mirror the global picture. Unplanned pregnancies among adolescents and young women undermine education and job opportunities. Unsafe abortions remain one of the leading causes of maternal deaths. In many rural and marginalized communities, contraceptive options are scarce, and misinformation is widespread. Women and girls deserve reliable access to life-saving supplies and accurate information that can change the course of their lives. Denying these rights risks eroding progress and entrenching inequality.
Deliberate investment is essential to change this trajectory. A dependable contraceptive supply chain, affordable methods, and women-centred strategies are critical. When these are in place, maternal deaths fall, newborn survival improves, girls remain in school, and families thrive. Contraception is not only a public health priority but a development necessity.
For over two decades, UNFPA has been the leading global procurer of quality WHO-prequalified contraceptives in more than 50 countries, including Ghana. Here, UNFPA provides 40 percent of the country’s annual contraceptive needs for the government and partners. In 2024 alone, these supplies were projected to deliver over one million Couple Years of Protection, avert 64,000 unsafe abortions, prevent 270 maternal deaths, and save the health system more than GBP 10 million. To ensure sustainability, UNFPA has also introduced a co-financing mechanism under the Supplies Partnership. Since 2023, the Government of Ghana has joined this arrangement, contributing to contraceptive procurement.
We congratulate the government for the investment in the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
Complementing this, UNFPA supported a study on family planning, teenage pregnancy, and maternal health to strengthen national responses. The findings point to the need for fresh strategies, including multisectoral action that links health with agriculture, environment, and food security. They also highlight the importance of diversifying communication channels for young people and tailoring interventions to the needs of specific community groups. In economic terms, the investment case revealed that for maternal health and family planning, the returns for every dollar invested range between $4.3 and $22.5 accrued through increased workforce participation, improved labor productivity, and reduced healthcare costs.
“Every cedi invested in contraception yields returns that extend far beyond health. It strengthens education, drives gender equality, and fuels national development. Ghana cannot afford to scale back; we must scale up,” said Dr Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA Ghana Country Representative.
As Ghana marks World Contraception Day under the theme “Empowering choices, strengthening families for Ghana’s future”, let us stand united. We call on the Government of Ghana, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to scale up investments in reproductive health. We must safeguard the right of every woman and girl to make informed choices. The dividends are immense: healthier families, empowered youth, and a Ghana ready to harness its demographic dividend.
