The Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has announced that government is targeting a 20% reduction in maternal mortality by December 2026 as part of intensified efforts to improve maternal healthcare delivery across the country.
She made the announcement during a working visit to the Awutu Senya East Municipal Health Directorate under Phase 3 of the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP), aimed at strengthening frontline healthcare systems and reducing preventable maternal deaths.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah expressed concern that maternal mortality remains Ghana’s only worsening health indicator, revealing that over 950 maternal deaths were recorded last year despite improvements in access to skilled delivery services.
She said the situation calls for urgent and coordinated intervention, adding that a nationwide action plan has been rolled out to improve early detection at the primary healthcare level, strengthen referral systems, and equip health facilities to respond more effectively to emergencies.
As part of the visit, the Deputy Minister toured the Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital, where she supervised the presentation of critical medical equipment, including a digital X-ray machine, ultrasound scanner, delivery beds, and other essential supplies.
She also disclosed plans to deploy additional doctors, midwives, and support staff to high-volume facilities to enhance service delivery and reduce pressure on existing personnel.
At the Kasoa Polyclinic, she engaged frontline health workers on operational challenges, particularly delays in referrals and maternal emergency response systems.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah stressed the importance of compassionate care and improved staff welfare, urging health workers to contribute practical solutions that can shape national interventions.
She noted that the initiative forms part of government’s broader commitment to reducing preventable maternal deaths and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes nationwide.
