The Ministry of Health is expressing concern over Ghana’s maternal and neonatal mortality rates despite ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
As a result, key stakeholders and leaders in the health sector are converging in Accra for a high-level review meeting aimed at assessing the current situation and identifying urgent interventions to reduce deaths among mothers and newborns.
The meeting is expected to bring together officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, teaching hospitals, development partners, and health professionals to review trends recorded over the past year and strategize on improving maternal and child healthcare outcomes.
Health authorities say the increasing number of maternal and neonatal deaths remains a major public health challenge and threatens Ghana’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly targets related to maternal and child health.
Recent health reports indicate that although Ghana has recorded some improvement in neonatal mortality over the years, progress remains slow. Studies published in 2025 estimated Ghana’s neonatal mortality rate at about 20 deaths per 1,000 live births, still above the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. (SpringerLink)
Similarly, maternal mortality continues to pose serious concern to health authorities. Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review Report estimated the country’s maternal mortality ratio at 109.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, with experts warning that progress remains slow. (sdgsghana.gov.gh)
Officials say the Accra meeting will focus on strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving emergency referral services, increasing access to skilled birth attendants, and enhancing neonatal care services across health facilities nationwide.
The Ministry of Health believes intensified collaboration among stakeholders will help accelerate efforts to reduce preventable deaths and improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns across the country.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
