Mission Report on the colloquium on the impact of family planning programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa : current issues and future prospects, Accra 10-14 april, 1989

Abstract

The Colloquium on Family Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa, organized by the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) with financial support from UNFPA, the World Bank, and IPPF, was held at the Continental Hotel. The event aimed to address gaps in knowledge regarding the development and implementation of effective family planning programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key themes discussed included fertility regulation, biomedical aspects of family planning, economic and socio-cultural constraints, gender issues, policy formulation, program management, and evaluation. The colloquium featured presentations on family planning experiences from Asian countries (India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Thailand), highlighting challenges such as unrealistic targets, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and socio-cultural barriers. African case studies from countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius, the Gambia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya were also presented, emphasizing the need for political commitment, community involvement, and integrated approaches to maternal and child health (MCH) and family planning (FP).