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Investing more and better: The case for ending maternal deaths and meeting family planning needs in Ghana

Jacob Novignon(1), Wilfred Ochan(2), Emmily Naphambo(3), Dela Bright Gle(4), Vitus Atanga(5),


(1) Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana
(2) United Nations Population Fund, Ghana Country Office
(3) United Nations Population Fund, Ghana Country Office
(4) United Nations Population Fund, Ghana Country Office
(5) United Nations Population Fund, Ghana Country Office
Corresponding Author

Abstract


This article presents an investment case for advancing Ghana’s reproductive health agenda, using nationally representative data and cost-benefit modelling to estimate the investments required and the expected health and economic returns from 2024 to 2030. The analysis identifies a substantial financing gap of USD 430 million under the ambitious scenario, while demonstrating the potential gains from scaling up evidence-based interventions. Expanded access to reproductive health services is projected to avert about 8 million unintended pregnancies and prevent 8,000 maternal deaths, yielding benefit-cost ratios of roughly 23:1 for family planning and 7:1 for maternal health. These returns represent an estimated twenty-fold gain on investment. Conversely, failure to invest risks forfeiting up to 1.6% of GDP in lost productivity. Overall, the findings show that investing in reproductive health is both a moral imperative and a sound economic strategy for sustainable development and gender equity in Ghana.

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