By Aaron Hammond 
Ghana has made progress in maternal healthcare, but the country still faces a serious challenge in protecting women during childbirth.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has highlighted the concern, revealing that nearly nine out of 10 Ghanaian women now deliver in health facilities, yet the maternal mortality ratio remains at 234 deaths per 100,000 live births. He made the remarks at a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) side meeting, stressing the need to turn improved access to healthcare into better survival outcomes for mothers.
Why Maternal Deaths Remain a Concern in Ghana
The figures show that getting pregnant women into hospitals and clinics is only part of the solution. The next challenge is ensuring that health facilities can provide timely, quality care when complications arise. Severe bleeding, high blood pressure during pregnancy and delays in emergency treatment can put a mother’s life at risk. The World Health Organization identifies preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications as a major global health concern. Ghana therefore needs strong emergency services, skilled health professionals, essential medicines and reliable access to blood supplies to protect mothers.
What Ghana Must Do to Save More Mothers
Ghana’s maternal health efforts must focus on what happens before, during and after childbirth. Pregnant women need regular antenatal checkups, early identification of complications and access to skilled birth attendants. Health facilities must also have the equipment and personnel to respond quickly when emergencies occur. In September 2026, the government launched the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER), a five year initiative aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths through stronger emergency response and referral systems. The initiative reflects the need for coordinated action across the health sector.
The challenge now is to ensure that the progress Ghana has made translates into fewer families losing mothers during childbirth. The World Health Organization’s data places Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio at 234 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, while the Sustainable Development Goal target is fewer than 70 by 2030. This gap shows why improving access alone is not enough. Ghana must also strengthen the quality and speed of care so that women who reach health facilities receive the help they need when it matters most. Every mother deserves the chance to give birth safely and return home to her family.
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Source: Ghana News Page