Introduction
Family planning is crucial to empowering women, enhancing their health, and promoting national development. In Ghana, awareness of contraception is almost universal, yet patterns of use, unmet needs, and decision-making dynamics reveal a more complex reality. Drawing on insights from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), this article explores the progress made, the gaps that remain, and what these trends mean for the future of reproductive health in the country.
Knowledge Empowers Choices
Acquiring knowledge about contraception is an essential first step toward accessing family planning services and making informed choices. In Ghana, knowledge of at least one method (traditional or modern) among women and men aged 15–49 is nearly universal. Modern methods are more widely known, with 99% of both women and men aware of them, compared to 88 % for traditional methods. Overall, awareness of contraceptive methods is higher among women in Ghana than among men. This widespread awareness reflects important progress made in reproductive health education by state and non-state actors.
Demand for Contraceptives
While awareness and knowledge of contraceptive methods are high in Ghana, patterns of use present a more complex picture. The DHS 2022 reports that only 32% of women overall report using a method of contraception, with 23% using modern methods and 8% traditional methods. Contraceptive usage is higher among unmarried sexually active women (36%) compared with women who are currently married (28%). In total, more than a third of currently married women (36%) and over six in ten sexually active unmarried women (63%) report using some form of contraception. However, these variation in contraceptive use varies widely across regions, ranging from as low as 17% in the North East region to as high as 51% in the Central Region. These regional and demographic differences highlight the need for targeted interventions that ensure all women, regardless of location or marital status, can exercise their reproductive health choices, regardless of cost, to reduce the unmet need for contraceptives.
Meeting the Unmet Need of Contraceptives
The demand for family planning in Ghana reveals both progress and persisting gaps. The DHS 2022 shows that sexually active unmarried women still have an unmet need for family planning. Overall, the total demand for family planning that is satisfied with modern methods is 47% among currently married women and 52% among sexually active unmarried women. More than half of currently married women are not satisfied with modern methods.
Over time, notable shifts can be observed. Among currently married women, unmet need fluctuated between 35 and 37% from 1993 to 2008, then declined to 30% in 2014 and further to 23% in 2022. Meanwhile, the proportion of demand satisfied with modern methods steadily increased from 18% in 1993 to 39% in 2014, reaching 47% in 2022. Among sexually active unmarried women aged 15–49, total demand rose sharply from 81% in 1998 to 90% in 2008, then slightly declined to 88% in 2022.
These trends suggest meaningful progress in expanding access to family planning, but they also show that significant unmet need persists. For many women, barriers such as limited access to services, socio-cultural norms, and gaps in service delivery continue to prevent them from meeting their needs. Addressing these challenges requires not only ensuring the availability of modern contraceptives but also strengthening education, reducing stigma, and tailoring interventions to meet the diverse realities of women across regions and socio-economic groups. By closing these gaps, Ghana can make further strides toward improving reproductive health, empowering women, and advancing broader development goals.
Conclusion
The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey paints a picture of steady progress in family planning, including universal knowledge, increasing contraceptive use, and declining unmet need. Yet, the disparities across regions, gaps in access, and the complex dynamics of decision-making remind us that progress is uneven. Bridging these gaps requires more than the availability of contraceptives; it calls for equity-driven policies, culturally sensitive education, and strengthened health systems that prioritize women’s voice and choice. By addressing these challenges, Ghana can accelerate progress toward a future where everyone has the knowledge, access, and support needed to make informed reproductive health decisions.
