By Gloria Amoh
The immediate past Executive Director of the National Population Council, Dr. Leticia Appiah, says population management is crucial for meeting basic needs.
Speaking on the GTV breakfast show on Monday, July 8, Dr. Leticia Appiah explained how population management aims to provide people with information and choices regarding reproductive health. This helps people make informed decisions based on health and security, ensuring that everyone and their children remain healthy, which in turn contributes to the nation’s health.
“Healthy nations are productive nations, and failing to make the right choices can be inefficient and costly,” she stated.
According to her, children are precious gifts, and neglecting their well-being harms both you and them. “And so it is crucial to consider population in the context of individual health and to follow established standards. Expert guidance is essential, which reduces teenage pregnancy and conditions like obstetric fistula saves costs.”
Dr. Leticia emphasised that population management is crucial for meeting basic needs. If the population grows faster than resources can support, it leads to inefficiency. “A total fertility rate of 3.9 means that each person aged 15–49 is responsible for 3.9 children, impacting everyone. Sharing information on services helps ensure that everyone makes informed decisions. Developed countries prioritise population issues because the quality of the population is vital for development.”
She also indicated that the difference between developing and developed countries lies in how they harness human capital and prioritise population issues. “Rwanda has made population dynamics a top priority, viewing family planning as a developmental agenda rather than just women’s issue.”
She disclosed that neglecting reproductive health information and services affects health, education, and overall well-being, and so population management often relies on opinion rather than evidence, which can be misleading.
She further underscored the importance of securing adequate funding for reproductive information and services.
