In order to help Ghana reach its 2022 goal of reducing maternal mortality rates by three quarters, taking stock of the
current financial situation and how best to finance family planning services is essential. The World Health Organization
(WHO) has identified contraception as one of the most effective ways to reduce maternal mortality and improve women’s health,
yet in Ghana, contraception is not widely available or affordable. To make family planning services more accessible and
affordable, the Ghana UHC Reforms initiative is working to improve the country’s health care system. The initiative is
focusing on improving the quality of maternal health care and expanding access to contraception, including through the use of
community health workers (CHWs). Additionally, the Nutrition Services program is providing food supplementation and health
education to pregnant women and young children to improve their nutrition and reduce the risk of child malnutrition.
Reproductive health services are essential to the achievement of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal of reducing
maternal mortality by three quarters by 2015. However, in Ghana, only 48% of women of reproductive age have access to
contraception, and only 26% of women use contraception correctly. The public health component of the initiative will focus on
expanding access to reproductive health services, including contraception, through the use of community health workers
(CHWs). The private sector is a critical partner in the effort to reach the Millennium Development Goals. The private sector
can provide financing and technical support to improve service delivery. The child health component of the initiative will
focus on protecting the health of children by addressing child malnutrition and child health services. The delivery
mechanisms will include partnerships with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and vulnerable populations.
Negative health effects of not reaching the Millennium Development Goals include increased rates of maternal and child
mortality, increased rates of poverty, and increased levels of gender-based violence. The health benefits of reaching the
Millennium Development Goals include reduced rates of maternal and child mortality, improved maternal and child health,
increased access to modern contraceptive methods, and increased levels of gender equality. The delivery of family planning
services in Ghana is hindered by outdated health systems and harmful gender norms. The health systems in Ghana are not well
equipped to provide preventive health services and are unable to provide adequate reproductive health care. This lack of
access to reproductive health services can result in women experiencing negative health effects, such as unwanted pregnancies
and sexually transmitted infections.
In order to meet the goals of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of providing quality family
planning services to women in Ghana by 2022, the agency is working to move its integrated website from a single platform to
an integrated website that will allow for more seamless access to family planning information for community-based
organizations (CBOs). The latest news on the website can be found on the home page, and the website features articles about
the development journey for family planning in Ghana, as well as relevant findings from demographic research. Communities
women can find information about accessing family planning services, as well as information about reproductive health rights
and health risks.
According to the latest surveys, contraceptive use is askew in Ghana, with only 30% of women using contraception during their
most recent sexual intercourse. This is compared to a regional average of 54%. The contraceptive use rate is lowest in the
south Asian region, with only 18% of women using contraception during their most recent sexual intercourse.