The Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has embarked on a two-day assessment tour of the Eastern Region under the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Program (MMARP), engaging stakeholders on urgent measures to curb maternal deaths in the country.
On Day Two of the tour, the Deputy Minister held a crucial meeting at the Kyebi Government Hospital in the Abuakwa South Municipality, where she reviewed the district’s maternal health situation and the effectiveness of ongoing response efforts.
A Call for Consistent, Quality Care Across Ghana
Addressing health workers, municipal authorities, and community representatives, Hon. Ayensu-Danquah stressed the urgent need to establish a consistent standard of quality maternal healthcare nationwide.
“Every woman, regardless of where she lives — whether in a city or a remote village — deserves safe, timely, and dignified care when she is bringing life into this world,” she said.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the significant challenges facing maternal health delivery in rural and peri-urban areas, including gaps in emergency obstetric care, inadequate equipment, and staff shortages. She reiterated the government’s commitment under MMARP to close these gaps through targeted interventions, better infrastructure, and enhanced training for healthcare workers.
MMARP: A Targeted Response
The Maternal Mortality Action and Response Program is a focused initiative aimed at reducing preventable maternal deaths across Ghana. The stakeholder engagement at Kyebi formed part of broader efforts to assess progress at the district level, identify bottlenecks, and realign strategies to meet national targets.
A Growing Sense of Urgency
With Ghana still recording hundreds of maternal deaths annually — many from preventable causes — the Deputy Minister’s tour signals renewed attention to what health advocates describe as a national emergency.
“One maternal death is one too many,” Hon. Ayensu-Danquah told the gathering. “We cannot afford to be complacent. This assessment is about accountability, but more importantly, it is about action.”
The tour is expected to inform policy adjustments and resource allocation under MMARP, as the Ministry of Health intensifies its push to make safe motherhood a reality for every Ghanaian woman.
