Reproductive Health in Ghana: A History of Development and Population Control

By Holly Ashford, this book delves into the complex history of women’s reproductive health in Ghana, revealing how discourses of development and population control shaped the country’s healthcare policies and practices between the 1920s and 1980s.

Development Policy and Reproductive Health Choices

During the colonial and postcolonial periods, Ghanaian women’s reproductive health choices were largely defined by development policy and practice. The book explores how principles of development continued to influence and legitimize reproductive health policy and practices, even after independence.

A Pluralist Health System and Global Iterations of Development

The author examines Ghana’s pluralist health system, the introduction of maternal and child welfare, and the significant role of the Red Cross in the country’s maternal and child health landscape. The book also delves into nationalist pronatalism and global population activism, highlighting how global iterations of development and health policy impacted ordinary lives in Ghana.

Archival Perspectives and Oral History Interviews

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic, the author draws on evidence from multiple levels, including private papers, national archives, and records of international and transnational organizations. Additionally, the book features extensive oral history interviews with rural Ghanaian women, traditional birth attendants, midwives, doctors, and family planning fieldworkers.

Impact on Historical Fields and Research Interests

This book is poised to make a significant impact on various historical fields, including Ghanaian history, global health history, global histories of population and family planning, and histories of development. It will be of great interest to researchers and students in the history of public health, development, Africa, Ghana, and gender.

Publisher: Routledge; 1st edition (December 9, 2022)
Language: English
Hardcover: 266 pages
ISBN-10: 1032227842
ISBN-13: 978-1032227849

This book offers a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between development, population control, and reproductive health in Ghana, making it a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in the field.