Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has announced an ambitious government target to reduce maternal mortality in Ghana by 20 per cent by December 2026, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare delivery.

She made the commitment during a working visit to the Awutu Senya East Municipal Health Directorate under Phase 3 of the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP), where she engaged health officials on ongoing interventions and systemic challenges.

According to her, maternal mortality remains Ghana’s only worsening health indicator, with more than 950 recorded deaths in the past year despite improvements in access to skilled birth attendance and healthcare services.

She noted that the national response plan will prioritise early detection at the primary healthcare level, improved referral systems, and the upgrading of health facilities to better manage complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

As part of the visit, Prof. Ayensu-Danquah led the presentation of essential medical equipment to the Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital, including a digital X-ray machine, an ultrasound scanner, delivery beds, and other critical supplies. The intervention follows a recent assessment visit by the Health Minister aimed at identifying urgent facility needs.

She also announced plans to deploy additional doctors, midwives, and support staff to strengthen service delivery at the high-patient-volume facility, which continues to serve growing communities in the area.

At the Kasoa Polyclinic, the Deputy Minister engaged frontline health workers on operational difficulties, with particular attention to delays in emergency referrals and the management of obstetric complications.

She stressed the need for compassionate care and improved staff welfare, while encouraging healthcare workers to contribute practical solutions to ongoing reforms in the sector.

The visit forms part of government’s broader strategy to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes across the country.

Health Minister plans to reduce maternal deaths by 20 percent by December 2026

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