Ghana

Mr. Kamaludden said the people ought to derive maximum benefits from the resources that they have

The Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr. K.K. Kamaludden says the United Nations (UN) system will continue to support and promote growth, good governance and democracy at all levels in Ghana.

The support, he said, will include technical and institutional capacity building of the people even at community level.

Mr. Kamludden made the pledge when he met with the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo and his team from the health, education, Ghana statistical Services Directorates, the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss how human development reports can be captured for the region.

The exercise, which will include the setting up of multi sectoral technical committee, will look at long and healthy life, maternal mortality, the health of children, the aged, sources of income, productive activities, education and potential sources of peace and conflict.

“One of our major responsibilities is to help design policies to support human development, improve livelihood, healthy life and knowledge-based productive activities,” he told the meeting.

He said the objective of the exercise is to provide choices for human development, adding that the data to be collated will be analysed based on the real situations in the communities.

“In view of this, the UNDP envisages that the people will be actively involved in the exercise,” he added. Mr. Kamaludden said that the people ought to derive maximum benefits from the resources that they have, adding: “The Human Development Report is an opportunity for all who have a stake.  It’s a national ownership and we shall be looking ahead, say in 50 years time. We can’t dissipate national resources.”

The UNDP Country Director explained that after the data has seen collated, it will be subject to another discussion by national experts and some consultants.

The Western Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Linda Vanotoo spoke about the scope of poverty and health in the region, saying that most people including pregnant women have difficulty accessing health facilities.

She said that when the health insurance policy gave free care to pregnant women, registration went up.

“It means all these people are poor. They are in labour, but can’t go to the clinic because they have no money,” Dr. Vanootoo told the meeting.

The Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Rebecca Dadzie also pointed out that some indicators showed the Western region as not poor, adding that most girls cannot go to school.

Commenting on the discussion, Mr. Aidoo said, he is happy that the meeting is addressing the needs of the people.

“I’m interested in this project and will provide the necessary logistics and resources for you to work,” Mr. Aidoo assured.

Updated: 27th January 2010