General Discussion of the 58th Session of The Commission for Population and Development (CPD)

Mr. Eric Osei-Wusu
Director/Policy Planning,
Monitoring and Evaluation
Office of The President of Ghana
Conference Room 4, UNHQ
United Nations, New York
April 08, 2025

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE 58TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION FOR POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

Chairperson,

Ghana is honoured to participate in this important session as we reaffirm our collective commitment to the ICPD Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We recognise that health is a fundamental human right, a cornerstone of dignity, resilience, and inclusive development, and a precondition for peace and prosperity. Yet, access to quality health services remains deeply unequal, especially for women, youth, and rural populations. Ghana, therefore, joins the global call for stronger solidarity and action to achieve universal health coverage and the full realisation of the right to health for all.

Chairperson,

With a population of 33.6 million, 38% under the age of 35, Ghana pursues health strategies grounded in equity, access, and resilience. We have seen gains in life expectancy and declines in maternal and child mortality, but poverty and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases remain major challenges.

Our National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) now covers over half the population, improving financial protection and access. The Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme has brought essential care to rural communities. Digital innovations like telemedicine and mobile health (mHealth) are enhancing service delivery and disease surveillance. We have also integrated traditional medicine into the national system and expanded public-private partnerships to improve quality.

In reproductive health, the Free Maternal Care Policy and the Costed Family Planning Implementation Plan (2024–2030) have improved outcomes. Antenatal care utilisation stands at 88%, under-five mortality is now 40 per 1,000 live births, and maternal mortality has declined to 301 per 100,000. Access to long-term family planning through NHIS, and our FP2030 commitments have been vital.

Ghana is also scaling up its HIV response, with declines in new infections and steady progress toward the UNAIDS 95:95:95 targets. In partnership with UNFPA, outreach to vulnerable youth has intensified.

Chairperson,

Looking ahead, our focus is on infrastructure, workforce expansion, and digital transformation. We have increased the health budget from 8% to 9% and launched a Medical Care Trust Fund to support patients with cancer, kidney, and heart conditions. NHIS coverage is expanding to include services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Aligned with our National NCD Strategic Plan (2022–2026) and WHO’s “Best Buys”, we are improving access to medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, alongside public education and regulation on tobacco and alcohol.

Childhood immunization remains strong, while interventions for malaria and tuberculosis are being scaled up. Our environmental health strategy addresses the impacts of illegal mining and climate-related pollution, while promoting clean energy to reduce public health risks.

We are also prioritising mental health. A dedicated Mental Health Levy has been introduced, services are being integrated into primary care, and the workforce is expanding. Under the Narcotics Control Commission Act of 2020, drug use is now treated as a public health issue, with a focus on harm reduction and rehabilitation.

Chairperson,

Despite our progress, the sudden withdrawal of key donor funding threatens critical gains. Ghana is working to cushion the impact through domestic resource mobilisation, but global solidarity remains essential.

We, therefore, recommend:

1. Increased international health financing to support countries facing sudden funding gaps, especially in reproductive health, HIV, and primary care.

2. Greater investment in digital public health infrastructure to bridge the digital divide and strengthen resilience.

3. Promotion of South–South and triangular cooperation, sharing models like CHPS and integrating mental health and NCD services into universal health coverage.

In conclusion, Ghana remains fully committed to the ICPD Programme of Action and to international cooperation for building equitable, inclusive, and resilient health systems. Let us work together to ensure that every person, regardless of gender, age, or geography, can live in dignity, good health, and well-being.

I thank you.