Deputy Health Minister Pledges 20% Reduction in Maternal Mortality by End of 2026
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Edited by: Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps –
The Deputy Minister for Health, Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has pledged to reduce Ghana’s maternal mortality rate by 20 percent by December 2026 as part of intensified government efforts to improve maternal and newborn healthcare delivery nationwide.
The Deputy Minister made the commitment during a working visit to the Awutu Senya East Municipal Health Directorate under Phase Three of the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP).
According to Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, maternal mortality remains Ghana’s only worsening health indicator, despite increased access to skilled healthcare services across the country. She disclosed that more than 950 maternal deaths were recorded last year.
To address the challenge, she announced a nationwide action plan focused on early detection of complications at the primary healthcare level, strengthening referral systems, and improving the capacity of health facilities.
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As part of the visit, the Deputy Minister toured the Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital, where she supervised the presentation of critical medical equipment following a recent visit by the Health Minister. The items included a digital X-ray machine, an ultrasound scanner, delivery beds, and other essential healthcare equipment aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare services.
She further announced plans to deploy additional doctors, midwives, and support staff to the facility to enhance service delivery at the high-volume hospital.
Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah also visited the Kasoa Polyclinic, where she engaged frontline health workers on challenges affecting healthcare delivery, particularly delays in referrals and maternal emergency responses.
She stressed the importance of compassionate care, improved staff welfare, and practical contributions from healthcare workers to help shape effective interventions.
The Deputy Minister noted that the visits form part of broader government efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes across the country.