Bolgatanga, Feb. 12, GNA - Low patronage of family planning contraceptives in the Upper East region has

been cited as one of the key factors responsible for the growing poverty and malnutrition in the region. Male dominance in decision- making and their dictatorial tendencies as well as ignorance, were some

dynamics identified as directly responsible for the teaming rejection for contraceptive use, which is crucial in

family planning practices. Dr. James Akpablie, Deputy Regional Director of Health Services, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency

(GNA) in Bolgatanga on Wednesday, at the close of the maiden meeting for the year 2010, of the Upper East

Regional Population Advisory Committee (RPAC). He said unplanned births are high in the region and attributed the phenomenon to the fact that most men,

especially the illiterate ones, vehemently reject any moves by their spouses to use any form of contraceptives

to prevent unplanned pregnancies and said it was a major cause of poverty in the area. Dr. Akpablie, who is in charge of Public Health at the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service,

noted that population issues go beyond ordinary head count and said the standard of life of the people,

including access to quality health care, education, good parenting, family planning and housing among others,

were key in considering population issues. Dr. Akpablie said there was the urgent need to control population growth, especially in the Upper East

Region, to give the people quality life, adding that, the poverty cycle would continue if education on family

planning is not taken seriously because "we would continue to feed unplanned mouths as frequent as

possible." He acknowledged that the acceptance rate of contraceptive use and indeed family planning methods by the

people, was too low, and said such situations measured the true status of the people's conditions, especially

the level of poverty in the area. He suggested a sustained dialogue with the people, especially men, in order to change their behaviour and

said such a move was crucial for the region to realize the fight against poverty, by promoting the use of

contraceptives as a way of checking unwanted pregnancies and births. Dr. Akpablie observed that Infant mortality, even though was reducing, the Directorate is not comfortable

with the rate of reduction, saying it is not too encouraging compared to the general national figures on

malnutrition related deaths of children under five. The health expert proposed to the District Assemblies in the region to establish supplementary feeding

cites close to the people, to enable them to have access to food supplements for their children to prevent

incidences of malnutrition related deaths in children. 12 Feb. 10