State of World Population 2011 Launched in Accra

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched this year's edition of the
State of the World's Population Report to guide policy makers and researchers to
institute measures to prevent conflicts and enhance development.

The report under the theme: "People and Possibilities in a World of 7 billion"
focuses on the world population which is expected to reach 7 billion on the 31st of
October, 2011. It also looks at the trends that are defining our world of 7 billion
and shows what people in different countries and circumstances are doing in their
own communities to make the most of our world in 7 billion.

Hon. Aquinas Quansah, Deputy Minister for local Government and Rural Development,
who launched the report in Accra yesterday, said the document clearly indicates that
Ghana is indeed not outside the global village but integral part it.

The choices and decisions that Ghana makes as a country today, will definitely have
relevance, implications and impact on both local and international level, he added.

Mr Quansah disclosed that Government of Ghana has initiated significant reforms and
investments to better harness the potentials of the population for poverty
reduction, stability, sustainable growth as well as development.

This, he said, are in line with International treaties, agreements and conventions
such as the Platform of Action for the International Conference on Population and
Development(ICPD, PoA 1994) which aims at addressing key issues towards improving
the standards and quality of life for Ghanaians and the world at large.

The report, according to him, also calls attention to and reinforces evidence
available, which suggests that disparities and inequalities exist in many areas and
that not everyone benefits from advances towards development and call us to action
to chart a course that also promotes opportunities for equality between women, men
and young people, and unleashes the creativity of large masses of young people.

In his welcome address, the UNFPA Country’s Representative, Dr Bernard Coquelin
opined that the State of World Population makes the case that with planning and the
right investments in people, we would have a thriving, sustainable cities,
productive labour forces that can fuel economic growth, youth population that
contribute to the well-being of economies and societies, and a generation of older
people who are healthy and actively engaged in their nations’ socio- economic
affairs.

The Launch which was chaired by Dr Grace Bediako, Government Statistician was also
graced by the United Nations Resident Representative, Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon.

There were also presentations from Professor Clara Faryorsey of the University of
Ghana, Mr Sammy Kissi of Curious Minds and Dr Kwankye, Executive Director of the
National Population Council respectively.