The Ministry of Health has extended its efforts to address maternal mortality to the Bono Region, with Deputy Health Minister Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah calling for a deeper assessment of gaps in healthcare delivery that continue to contribute to preventable maternal deaths. Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the focus should go beyond identifying haemorrhage and hypertension as major causes of maternal deaths to examining why women who develop these complications are not receiving timely and effective care.
She made the call during a two-day working visit to the Bono Region under the Ministry’s Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (M-MARP). The visit marked her sixth regional engagement as part of the programme’s Regional Ecosystem Assessment.
The exercise brought together officials from the Bono Regional Health Directorate, Sunyani Regional Hospital, municipal and district health directorates, medical superintendents and members of the Bono Regional Health Management Team. The assessment is focused on maternal healthcare delivery, referral systems, emergency obstetric services and other factors affecting maternal health outcomes in the region.
Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah explained that M-MARP was established to look beyond policies and programmes and gain a clearer understanding of what is actually happening within health facilities and communities. She noted that Ghana has implemented several maternal health policies and interventions over the years, yet maternal mortality continues to be a major concern. This, she said, calls for a reassessment of existing strategies and a coordinated effort to address persistent gaps in the healthcare system.
The Deputy Minister expressed particular concern that many women who die from pregnancy-related complications had previously interacted with the health system, including through antenatal care, highlighting the need to examine where and why the system fails to provide the care they require.
That, she said, raises critical questions about the quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the care they receive before, during and after complications develop. Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah therefore called for a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding maternal complications instead of simply recording the immediate medical causes of death.
The Bono Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Abudulai Abukari, identified delays in seeking care, referral challenges and delays in receiving appropriate treatment as some of the factors contributing to maternal deaths in the region.
Dr Abukari identified several factors contributing to maternal deaths, including shortcomings in detecting high-risk pregnancies, shortages of essential medical equipment, and insufficient ambulance services, all of which hinder emergency referrals and quality maternal healthcare delivery.
To address these challenges, he said the region has implemented various interventions, such as routine maternal mortality reviews and refresher training programmes for midwives. In addition, a clinical WhatsApp platform has been created to enable health workers to receive real-time specialist support when managing complex cases.
Dr Abukari also advocated stronger referral systems, sustainable funding, improved healthcare infrastructure and equipment, and a more equitable distribution of health professionals to underserved areas.
Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah emphasized that reducing maternal mortality requires a collective effort beyond the health sector. She noted that families, community members, traditional and religious authorities, civil society organisations, and development partners all have critical roles to play.
According to her, the M-MARP regional assessments are designed to generate practical recommendations that will strengthen maternal healthcare services and reduce preventable maternal deaths.
