Introduction
The scope of the field of population has broadened considerably. Population scientists are conducting research on new topics using new methodologies; the job market for population scientists has undergone significant changes as government structures are modified, universities evolve, and nongovernmental organizations acquire increasing importance and advances in and expanded access to technology have opened up new possibilities for training and research.

New global issues like the expansion of international migration, aging populations, international migration, persistent poverty, preservation of the environment, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic have significant demographic components. Because of its distinctive tools and perspective the field of population studies is particularly well suited to understanding issues such as these and proposing effective solutions. The field strongly emphasizes empirical, evidence based research. It focuses on clarifying both the population consequences of individual behaviour and the effect of macro-level population processes on individuals. Explaining change is one of the field's central concerns.

A number of other developments are taking place as well. More and increasingly complex data sets (like the Demographic and Health Surveys) are becoming widely available. Population scientists are using new methodologies ranging from qualitative techniques to sophisticated multivariate statistical methods. Research is increasingly focused on explanations of behavior at multiple levels that incorporate individual, household, and institutional factors, and on explaining changes over time. Advances in information technology have allowed research to be conducted at greater speed and at lower cost, and the development of the Internet has created new opportunities for collaboration and information sharing.

Because population research tends to focus on social and health problems and the search for their solutions, population issues are directly linked to public health issues. From the mid-twentieth century, global public health efforts had met with enormous success in beating back disease and even eradicating smallpox, one of the world’ worst health scourges. Infant and child mortality had dropped in the face of massive immunization campaigns, food supplements, and new treatments of common illnesses. The advent of antibiotics saved millions of lives. Life expectancy rose dramatically in both developed and developing countries. Health professionals felt that, given the political resolve and adequate resources, a concerted effort in extending these and other effective interventions to all corners of the world will transform the idealistic vision into reality by the dawn of the twenty-first century.

Unfortunately, crystal balls are not reliable. Today, in spite of overall progress, good health eludes billions of people including Ghanaians. AIDS has reversed child survival and life expectancy gains in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Armed conflicts kill millions directly; and million of children succumb to malnutrition and disease. In some countries, immunization coverage rates have declined significantly. Ever-growing resistance to antibiotics has diminished their once almost magical promise. Malaria and tuberculosis remain major afflictions in poor countries, while in wealthier countries obesity contributes to high rates of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

The Public Health and Population Forum of the Economy of Ghana Network (EGN) will create a platform for members to debate some of these issues.

Areas identified to be the focus of discussion include;

1. Strategies for navigating the AIDS epidemic in Ghana

2. Demographic and public Health perspectives on aging, health and public policy

3. The emerging cases of degenerative disease in Ghana

4. Maternal and child nutrition as an issue in poverty alleviation in Ghana and

5. Induced abortion as a public health concern.