Proximate Determinants of Fertility in Ghana: An Analysis of Method of Estimation

Edmund Essah Ameyaw, University of Ghana

Several studies have indicated that fertility transition has been taking place in some sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana. There is a need for a continuous systematic attempt to identify the factors associated with the transition. Accordingly, the present study was based on the Bongaarts framework and its reformulation by John Stover to examine the proximate determinants of fertility over three sets of surveys in Ghana.-1998, 2003 and 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). The difference in the index of sterility in the two models may be attributable to the use of all forms of sterility by John Stovers whiles Bongaarts model uses only pathological sterility.The use of sexual activity rather than marriage in Stover’s model is also a better measurement of inhibiting factor associated with pregnancy risk since non-marital sex has been high in Ghana.