Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has revealed that Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio currently stands at 234 deaths per 100,000 live births, a figure she described as significantly above the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the Deputy Minister, the current rate is approximately three times higher than the WHO’s recommended threshold, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to improve maternal healthcare services and reduce preventable deaths among pregnant women and new mothers.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the statistic remains a major public health concern and highlights persistent challenges in ensuring safe pregnancy and childbirth outcomes across the country.
She stressed the importance of strengthening maternal and neonatal healthcare interventions, improving access to quality health services, and enhancing emergency obstetric care, particularly in underserved communities.
The Deputy Minister noted that while Ghana has made progress in improving healthcare delivery over the years, more work is required to address factors contributing to maternal deaths, including delays in accessing care, inadequate health infrastructure and shortages of critical medical resources.
She called for greater collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, development partners and communities to accelerate efforts toward reducing maternal mortality and improving the wellbeing of mothers and children.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing policies and programmes aimed at strengthening maternal health services as part of broader efforts to achieve better health outcomes for all Ghanaians.
Health experts have long identified reducing maternal mortality as a key priority in the country’s healthcare agenda, with renewed focus on expanding skilled birth attendance, improving antenatal care and ensuring timely access to emergency medical interventions.