
The immediate past Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC), Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah, has had her book, “Human Resource to Human Capital: The Essence of Population Management,” officially certified as a textbook for educational purposes in Ghana by the Copyright of Ghana on 18th November, 2024 certificate number 0003854.
The book, which delves into population management as a key driver of national development, has earned critical acclaim for its insightful analysis of the relationship between population growth, human resource development, and sustainable governance.
Disclosing this to the Daily Statesman, Dr. Appiah expressed her readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to implement the book’s teachings within the educational system. She hinted at engaging NaCCA after meeting with the Minister of Education-Designate, Haruna Iddrisu.
“I am eagerly looking forward to engaging NaCCA after meeting Ministry of Education to ensure that this vital resource can be fully integrated into our learning institutions,” she said. She expressed the hope that the book would inspire duty bearers, policymakers and policy implementers to rethink the critical nexus between population dynamics and sustainable development in families, communities and the nation.
Cornerstone
Dr. Appiah emphasised that effective population management is a cornerstone of governance and development. According to her, neglecting this crucial aspect of individual welfare in national planning often leads to poor human capital accumulation which ultimately leads to the collapse of systems and the perpetuation of failed governance models.
She said the book advocates a shift in mindset, and urged policymakers, educators and stakeholders to view human resources not just as a quantitative asset (number of people), but as a resource to be cultivated and transformed into human capital (skilled workforce) through timely investment in nutrition, education, health and opportunities.
Dr. Appiah underscored the urgency of aligning population growth with socio-economic strategies, highlighting how unhealthy population trends exacerbate unemployment, healthcare delivery, educational outcomes, productivity and prosperity . She emphasised that population management should occupy a central role in Ghana’s government policymaking to “achieve the Ghana we want and need to remain relevant”.
She believes that the certification of “Human Resource to Human Capital: The Essence ofp Population Management” as a textbook represents a significant commitment by the Ghanaian government to foster critical thinking on population management and development issues among teachers and learners and by extension among the general population. She said this development aligned with the broader goal of using education as a tool to nurture informed and empowered citizens capable of improving their welfare and drive progress and sustainable governance.

Why the book?
Ghana’s population of 31 million, per the 2021 Population and Housing Census, shows a growth rate of 2.1 per cent per year and is set to double in the next 30 years. The 139-page book provides an insightful analysis of how the country can and must harness the potential of its population to ensure sustainable growth.
It aims to explore the link between population and development to enable readers to make the right choices mindful of the fact that all choices have consequences. It paints the right picture that promoting the right sex and reproductive health information and services was not about restricting freedom but rather, promoting health, dignity, peace, happiness and prosperous meaningful lives.
The book also aims to destigmatise population literacy and sexual health by encouraging open discussions in families and communities as well as help everyone deeply understand population dynamics of Ghana.
