Ghana: The World Bank’s Quest to Boost the Productivity of the Next Generation

The World Bank (WB) defines human capital as consisting of the knowledge, skills and health that people accumulate throughout their lives, enabling them to realize their potential as productive members of society. Without human capital, countries can neither sustain economic growth nor compete effectively in the global economy.

It is estimated that in developing countries 21.3 percent of young children are physically stunted. In some countries children acquire significantly fewer years of learning than in other countries despite being in school the same length of time. People spend over 80 dollars per person out of their own pockets annually to access health services and such expenses hit the poor hardest. In the world’s poorest countries, 4 out of every 5 people are not covered by a social safety net and are thus extremely vulnerable..……………………………………………………………………………………