John Magufuli's Baby Fever: Population Growth in Africa

Why reducing neonatal mortality rates and poverty levels should be prioritized over population growth in Africa. A few days ago, President John Magufuli of Tanzania called on women in Tanzania to ‘set your ovaries free’, and bear more children as a way to help boost the economy into a regional powerhouse—a step, critics argue, would instead worsen inequality and poverty, and increase the already high rate of neonatal deaths in the country. According to the World Health Organization, at

Every year, The Republic publishes the most ambitious writing focused on Africa, from news and analysis to long-form features.

To continue reading this article, Subscribe or Register for a Free Pass.

Already a subscriber? Log in.