Ashanti Region Records 25% Drop in Maternal Mortality as UNFPA Advocates for Enhanced Health Resource Distribution

The Ashanti Region has achieved a significant milestone in maternal healthcare, recording a 25% reduction in institutional maternal mortality during the first half of 2026. Data reveals that deaths per 100,000 live births fell from 199.5 in the previous year to 148.7. This improvement comes as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) urges the Ghanaian government to sustain these gains through better distribution of trained health professionals and increased investment in reproductive health commodities across the country.

Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, attributed the positive trend to a combination of enhanced clinical interventions and the strengthening of peripheral health facilities. By focusing on clinical mentorship and upgrading lower-level clinics, the region has been able to manage complications more effectively. Notably, this success occurred alongside a rise in the total number of live births, which increased from 64,155 in 2025 to 67,565 in 2026. The region also saw a decline in institutional stillbirth rates, moving from 6.52 to 6.08 per 1,000 live births, signaling a broader improvement in neonatal outcomes.

Despite these gains, challenges remain as the region's mortality rate still exceeds the national target of 125 deaths per 100,000 live births. UNFPA Regional Director Sennen H. Hounton has emphasized that cutting maternal deaths further will require a more strategic distribution of the health workforce. He noted that while training is essential, ensuring that skilled personnel are stationed in rural and underserved areas where they are most needed is critical for impact. Hounton also called for increased budget allocations for essential reproductive health supplies to prevent stockouts that can lead to preventable fatalities.

These regional and international efforts are currently aligned with the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER), a key five-year strategy under President John Mahama's administration. Moving forward, the UNFPA is advocating for stronger social mobilization and tighter coordination between the government and development partners. Achieving national healthcare targets will depend on the successful scaling of the Ashanti Region’s mentorship models and the government's ability to ensure equitable access to quality care for all expectant mothers nationwide.