The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah has charged the reconstituted Governing body of the National Population Council, NPC, to properly steer affairs of the Council to play its expected role in the country's development.

He said the Governing Council must ensure that the NPC meet its core mandate as the highest advisory body to government on population matters.

The Chief of Staff said this when he inaugurated the 23-member governing board at the Flagstaff House in Accra.

The first population policy and programme developed in 1969 was titled "Population Planning for National Progress and Prosperity".

It did define government policy on population but also affirmed its commitment to adopt and implement appropriate strategies and programmes.

It focused on managing population resources in a manner consistent with government's ultimate objective of accelerating the development of the country of improving the quality of life of Ghanaians. However, the pace of achieving this objective over the last 47 years has been held down by an unacceptably high level of population growth rate.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah was confident that the reconstituted governing board of the National Population Council will help achieve the task ahead during its tenure.

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Population Council, Dr. William Ahadzi said the board will continue the current effort at fertility regulation to reduce the population growth rated.

The board will also develop appropriate policies in response to the new population imperatives. Dr. Ahadzi said the Board will pay to population matters in the country through a mere visible and vibrant council. This will reflect in a re-structured, a well resourced and energized Secretariat.