both the contributions of women and men, Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Ibn-Mohammed, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services has reiterated. He has, therefore, urged men to collaborate with their wives and participate fully in the programme.

This was contained in a speech read for him by Madam Theresa Acheampong, Deputy Director of Nursing Services in the Ashanti Region at the launch of the family planning programme at Yabi in the Atwima-Kwanwoma District on Tuesday. He said family planning is not only meant for marriage couple to space the birth of their children alone but also to protect them from sexually transmitted diseases.

Dr Ibn-Mohammed suggested that each couple should give birth to a number of children that they could comfortably look after in order to build a healthy family. He advised mothers to take advantage of the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Free Medical Care for Pregnant Women to help them improve their health status.

Madam Beatrice Adjei, the District Director of Health Services expressed concern about the low patronage of family planning in the district adding that out of the population of 96,844, family planning acceptance was only 7 percent. She advised the people to take keen interest in family planning programme and get involved in it to ensure a better life. Mr Emmanuel Kwame Adjei, the District Chief Executive (DCE) cautioned the people against following superstition and mere hearsay from friends and relatives but rather be in touch with people who have enough knowledge in family planning to educate them on such issues. The DCE mentioned that one of the major problems confronting the nation currently was population explosion and urged them to be serious on health education to help find a lasting solution to the problem.