The 3rd China- Africa Conference is underway in Accra. The conference opened with a call on participants to identify more areas of collaboration and partnerships to ensure data storage, access and utilization as evidence based decisions are critical to national development.
Opening the conference on behalf of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng noted that, to make the right impact when it comes to development, the use of data is very essential and especially in low and middle-income countries where there are several competing demands on limited resources.
He emphasized that, the availability and use of timely and reliable population data is indispensable for planning, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and for measuring progress towards the achievement of the SDGs. The Vice President welcomed the discussion on population data management and sustainable development within the context of the south-south cooperation.
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Director of UNFPA Dr. Natalia Kanem, noted that the timing of the conference and its exploration of how data and universal access to reproductive health can drive sustainable development, could not be more opportune and even more so at a time when UNFPA marks its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD held in Cairo, Egypt in 1994.
She said UNFPA plays a key role in the implementation and ultimate success of both the ICPD and 2030 Agendas through its daily work on the ground. “We are currently mounting an ambitious and strategic effort anchored in three zeros: zero unmet need for contraception; zero preventable maternal deaths; and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices. Like the SDGs, we have set our sights on achieving each of those results by 2030”.
“However, we cannot do this important work alone. To make progress, we need partnerships at every level that leverage our respective strengths to maximize our collective impact” Dr. Kanem stressed.
The Canadian High Commision to Ghana Dr. Heather Cameron who was present at the opening session remarked that “there is much to celebrate. Many barriers have been broken down, there is increasing numbers of modern contraceptive users, improved provider training, and increasing demand for family planning services. But underlined that, many of these needs and rights remain elusive for far too many people worldwide.
She said there is the need to better understand the needs and gaps in order to deliver programs and services that reach those most in need, including the marginalized.
Prof. George Gyan- Baffour welcomed the over 200 participants from across Africa and China who are attending the conference and who among other things will demonstrate the role of data management in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, show the role access to reproductive health plays in achieving the SDGs as well as review the achievements and challenges of the 25 years journey of the ICPD.
The first took place in Nairobi Kenya in April 2017 with a focus on demographic transition and demographic dividend and particular emphasis on human capital, education and skill development as well as health transition. The second edition was held in Guangzhou City of China to reinforce consensus and strengthen South- South Cooperation between China and Africa on population and development issues.
