By Hannah Awadzi
Accra, Aug. 10, GNA – Financing stronger health systems, protecting women and girls, and closing persistent inequalities took centre stage as UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Dr. Sennen Hounton, engaged Ghana’s media during the African Union Extraordinary Health Summit.
The engagement reinforced UNFPA’s commitment to ensuring every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can realise their full potential through African-led solutions and sustained investment.
A statement from the UNFPA copied to the Ghana News Agency said at a time when countries were facing shrinking external resources and competing development priorities, there was the need for stronger domestic investment in health.
Expanding health financing, strengthening health systems, and ensuring services reach underserved communities remain critical to reducing preventable maternal deaths and advancing universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Dr. Hounton emphasised that health equity extended beyond healthcare facilities, noting that keeping girls in school, preventing child marriage, expanding access to contraception, deploying skilled midwives, and strengthening community-based services were essential investments that improve outcomes for women and girls while supporting young people to achieve their aspirations.
“Health sovereignty begins with domestic investment. When countries invest in midwives, primary healthcare, education for girls and access to reproductive health services, they are investing in healthier families, stronger economies, and a more resilient future for Africa,” he stated.
He underscored that sustainable financing remains central to achieving these goals, pointing to UNFPA’s collaboration with the African Development Bank to develop mechanisms that enable countries to invest in critical health priorities, including skilled birth attendance, workforce strengthening, and essential health services.
The engagement also highlighted the growing role of population data in shaping development decisions. With 22 of the 23 countries in West and Central Africa expected to complete modern georeferenced population and housing censuses by next year, governments will have stronger evidence to identify underserved populations, target investments, and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants further addressed the impact of global funding reductions on essential health services, including contraceptive supplies, and underscored the importance of stronger domestic resource mobilisation, accountability, and African-led approaches to protect health gains and ensure continuity of services for women, girls, and vulnerable communities.
The Ghana Media Moment strengthened understanding of the policies, partnerships, and investments required to advance maternal health, family planning, adolescent and youth development, gender equality, and population data systems.
It reinforced UNFPA’s role in supporting countries across West and Central Africa to deliver measurable progress for women, girls, and young people.
Dr. Hounton urged the media to remain a critical partner in advancing health equity by reporting on evidence, amplifying solutions, and holding decision-makers accountable for commitments that affect the lives of women, girls, and young people.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
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