Population growth: Silent obstacle to development (Final )
Dr Kofi AMPONSAH BEDIAKO
The point has already been made that rapid population growth, if it outstrips development, tends to have negative impact on the economy in the sense that matters relating to economic welfare will be thrown overboard and that people will live in abject poverty and deprivation.
On the other hand , if population is brought under control and economic growth becomes higher than population growth, the result will be improvement in socioeconomic development in society. This means that , more schools can be built together with more hospitals, supply of electricity and availability of food for everyone, among others.
This explains why the developed countries of Europe, Japan, Germany, China Russia etc. are able to meet the needs of their respective citizens.
A theoretical example of two countries can be given to illustrate this point. If country A, for example, is given 100cedis to cater for it citizens that are only ten, the government in that country will be able to cater well for its people. On the other hand, if another country is given the same amount 100 GHC to cater for its people numbering fifty. This country will not be able to cater well for its people as was done by the first.
The first country can use the 100GHC to provide more schools, hospitals, electricity, roads etc. to meet the needs of it people. In the case of the country with a higher population, its people are likely to live with abject poverty because of absence of schools, hospitals , accommodation and any other basic things needed to make life more meaningful. It is for this reason that developing countries the world over must do all they can to bring their population under control and ensure that available resources are effectively utilised for the needs of the people.
If this is done, economic growth will outstrip the growth of population and everyone will be able to enjoy life in the way expected.
Some people think that they can on their own cater for their families so no one should blame them when the bring forth large number of children. This cannot be true because it would not have been a problem if each parent is responsible for building it own schools and other social amenities, among others.
Once we depend on government for the provision of our needs, even if we pay taxes, this trend of tough must be considered outmoded and be dealt away with. Many a time , some people say they pay taxes but many of them do not, yet we expect central government to provide for all our needs in terms of food, shelter, accommodation, infrastructure, medical care and security, among others.
As long as things move on in this way , it will be difficult to see growth in our socioeconomic development.
The experience in Ghana has shown that some government have done better than others. The numerous policies being pursued by the Akufo – Addo and Bawumia Administration is yielding good results for the country. However, if population is brought under control the result will be far better and meaningful progress can be made for the country.
The population factor is often overlooked by many people and we do not seem to realise how it impact negatively on our socioeconomic development.
Yes, we need to perform better like the current government is doing but things can be far better if we bring population under control in order to ensure that socioeconomic development moves higher and higher to make things better for everyone in this country.
It is said that a word to the wise is enough. However, in this case we will say to all Ghanaians that a word to every Ghanaian is very essential and so must be obeyed.
