Ghana launches presidential initiative to cut maternal deaths by 20% annually

Ghana has launched the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER) to accelerate efforts to reduce maternal deaths and ensure that women receive timely and quality care before, during and after childbirth.

The five-year multisectoral initiative was launched by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama under the theme, “No Woman Should Die While Giving Life.”

Speaking at the launch, the Vice President noted that Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio remained above the Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

She said greater attention was therefore required in areas including quality of care, emergency readiness, transportation, communication and coordination among health facilities.

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According to her, PRIMER would bring together ministries, public institutions, local authorities, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, the private sector and communities to address barriers to maternal survival.

These barriers include transport, roads, water, energy and other factors beyond the health sector.

Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, disclosed that the Ministry had integrated its Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP) into PRIMER as its fifth pillar, providing the initiative with a dedicated clinical and operational component.

She said Ghana’s current maternal mortality ratio stands at about 234 deaths per 100,000 live births, while institutional maternal deaths reached 965 in 2025.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah explained that a significant proportion of the deaths involved referrals from lower-level facilities.

She identified challenges including the failure to identify high-risk pregnancies early, delays in emergency referrals, inadequate critical-care equipment and gaps in access to blood and other essential resources.

She said MMARP would therefore place strong emphasis on strengthening primary-level care, referral systems and emergency response.

The programme has a goal of reducing maternal mortality by 20 percent annually over the next three years.

The Vice President charged health professionals, communities, traditional and religious leaders, development partners and relevant government institutions to play their respective roles in ensuring that women seek care early and receive timely interventions.