Koforidua, Nov. 7, GNA - The Eastern Regional Population Officer, Mr Kofi Abinah, has called on the government to increase resources for the promotion of reproductive health as a means of helping to protect women and vulnerable children against the negative effects of the world economic crisis.

He argued that, the economic crisis is likely to force governments to cut down on their investments in many areas, which is likely to affect development of many countries. Mr Abinah said investment in women and issues that affect them could do a lot to mitigate the effects of the crisis on development, because women more than men invest their earnings in the health and education of their children and put food on the family table. He was speaking at an advocacy seminar for heads of departments on the 2009 World Population Day Message in Koforidua on Friday, organized under the Theme "Responding to the Economic Crisis: Investing in Women is a Smart Choice".

Mr Abinah said research had proven that investments in education and health of women and girls is linked to increase productivity, agricultural yield and national income all, which contribute towards the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He suggested that population issues be systematically integrated in all aspects of development planning and activity at all levels of the administrative structure. Mr Abinah called for the integration of rural and urban development, in order to improve upon the living conditions in the rural areas, and to educate the youth on population issues. 7 Nov. 09