An Associate Professor at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) at the University of Ghana, Stephen Kwankye, has stated that population and demographic statistics must be at the centre of development planning in Ghana for policies to achieve the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.
Speaking to Univers News on the sidelines of the launch of a book by the Regional Institute for Population Studies as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Prof. Kwankye noted that for any country to achieve sustainable growth and development, population dynamics are critical in informing sound policymaking.
He added that such data is essential for aligning resource allocation across various sectors of the economy.
“Over the years, population dynamics in Ghana have not been static but have continued to evolve with changing social interactions. As such, public policymaking systems must not remain stagnant but should be robust enough to take cognisance of the youth bulge in the population, which must be harnessed for holistic contributions to national development.”
Prof. Kwankye further stated that significant shifts in population dynamics across various groups, supported by verifiable data, should prompt the government to upgrade public infrastructure across the country.
“There must be strategic steps to invest adequately in providing standard infrastructure in almost all the administrative regions of Ghana to help close the wealth and developmental gaps that force many people to migrate to already congested cities for economic survival.”
The Chairman for the occasion and Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, also emphasised that development planning must be grounded in the careful use of credible data generated by academics and experts.
“It is noteworthy that a highly respected institution such as RIPS at the University of Ghana, together with its staff, is actively supporting the government with data and evidence to inform the development of population-related policies that are effective and reflective of the real-life realities of Ghanaians.”
The event brought together faculty, staff, and students of the institute, university management, selected journalists, and members of the public. It provided an opportunity for participants to engage with the themes of the book and explore policy-relevant recommendations for both state and non-state actors.
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Story by Sika Togoh | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
