Uganda: Govts Urged to Address Population Growth

New Vision (Kampala)
16 December 2007
Irene Nabusoba And Alice Emasu
Kampala

HIGH fertility rates and unmatched planning for the population may hinder many African countries from achieving their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This was revealed during the fifth African Population conference that kicked off last week in Arusha International Conference Centre in Tanzania.

President Amani Abeid Karume of Zanzibar regretted that African governments were not doing enough to address population issues.

Karume called for 'strong political commitment' by governments and partners in addressing issues of high fertility rates and planning for the predominantly young population.

"Africa may not achieve its objectives of improving the well-being and quality of its people, if the issues of population are not adequately addressed," Karume said.

He attributed the 'unfortunate population trend' to inadequate use of effective regulations among women, value of children as a source of domestic labour plus old age economic and social security for parents.

Karume added that the low social and education status of women and the age differences between spouses constrains communication on issues related to reproductive health, socio-economic and gender roles leading to unplanned births.

Africa has a total fertility rate of 5.1, the highest in the world according to the African Population Report 2006. The continent has 944 million people and is projected at 1.4 billion by 2025.

Speaking at the same function, Benson Morah, from the United Nations population agency, advised governments to adopt and implement explicit national population policies and programmes instead of being reactionary.

"Population is becoming a 'missing priority area' in national and regional dialogues, poverty reduction efforts and attainment of MDGS," Morah said.

The conference attracted over 800 participants from Africa and foreign development partners.

It was was organised by the Union of African Population Studies a non-profit organisation, which promotes scientific study of population in Africa through research, training, information, technological assistance and corporation.