Renowned economist Mr. Kwame Pianim has called for urgent measures to address Ghana’s rapid population growth, emphasizing the need for a national conversation to integrate population considerations into the country’s development.
At the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Annual Leadership Lecture Series, Pianim outlined the importance of aligning population growth with economic development.
Under the theme “Re-Imagining Ghana’s Development Trajectory for a Peaceful and Prosperous Nation By 2057, Our 100th Anniversary,” Pianim envisioned a prosperous and inclusive Ghana with a steady annual growth rate of 5% to 6%.
He stressed the necessity for collective efforts to achieve this vision, stating, “Only Ghanaians can and do have a duty to develop their nation.”
Comparing Ghana to the Asian Tigers, Pianim highlighted the significant difference in economic progress over the years. He pointed out that South Korea, China, and Malaysia had experienced remarkable growth, while Ghana’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) lagged.
Pianim attributed this disparity partly to Ghana’s high fertility rate and population growth, stressing the need to lower the annual population growth rate.
He cited South Korea’s success in managing population growth, achieving a rate below one percent with its “two-is-enough” slogan.
Pianim urged Ghana to implement measures to lower the population growth rate from 2.1% and emphasized the importance of addressing child marriage, which is illegal in Ghana but requires active collaboration between district assemblies and traditional authorities for effective enforcement.
Proposing the merger of the National Population Council, Births and Deaths Registry, and National Identification Authority, Pianim called for a comprehensive approach to studying population and sustainable development issues. He emphasized the need for a modulated population in 2057 to achieve economic goals.
The Vice Chancellor of UPSA, Professor Abednefo Feehi Okoe Amartey, praised the UPSA Annual Leadership Lecture Series for providing valuable insights and lessons for reflection.
