Accra, May 15, 2012 — Ghana needs a Work-Family Balance Policy, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), Vicky Okine has appealed to Government and other stakeholders to consider.rn rnShe said trade unions, the private sector and other interested stakeholders must advocate for the enactment of such a policy to deal with Access to Family Health Services such as family planning services, the adoption of paternity leave, flexible working arrangements to child benefits and equal access to employment for women among others.rn rnA statement issued on Tuesday and copied to the Ghana News Agency by the Alliance to mark International Day of Families today May 15th, said a Work-Family Balance Policy would demonstrate both government’s commitment to the well-being of families and the private sector’s commitment to social responsibility. rn rnThis year’s International Day of Families is being observed on the theme: “Ensuring Work Family Balance”.rn rnThe International Day of Families was instituted by the United Nations and is celebrated globally on the 15th of May each year. rn rnIt provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.rn rnThe Executive Director said rapid urbanization and the search for better job opportunities outside of one’s home town had resulted in the weakening of traditional extended family networks that provide care and support for younger and vulnerable family members. rn rnShe therefore called for the adoption of the social capital concept which would help instil the values and norms of society, ensure better health care delivery, promote higher educational achievement. rn rnMiss Okine welcomed recent family-related initiatives instituted by the Government such as the Free Family Planning Services Policy announcement by the Ministry of Health. rn rnShe said Family Planning Services can reduce the number of women who die during child birth by a third. rn rnCurrently the maternal mortality rate stands at 350,000 per 100,000 live births. rn rnThe Executive Director asked the Government to put in measures to address the inequalities in access to health care and empower women to utilize Family Planning Services. rn rnShe said her organization would continue to advocate for the reproductive health rights of the poor and other disadvantaged groups in under-served communities. rn rn“ARHR will also continue to promote social justice particularly in health-related issues by highlighting the social, economic and geographical inequalities in the provision of and impact of health services.”rnGNArn