Kwabena Mintah Akandoh targets 20% annual reduction in maternal deaths

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced an ambitious national goal for Ghana to achieve a 20% annual reduction in maternal mortality. Speaking at the World Health Summit in Berlin, the Minister outlined the government's renewed strategy to prevent avoidable deaths among pregnant women and new mothers through enhanced emergency responses and systemic accountability. This target represents a significant component of the administration's broader commitment to improving maternal health outcomes nationwide.

Central to this strategy is the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER), which was officially launched on September 16, 2026. This initiative is specifically designed to bolster the country's capacity to handle obstetric emergencies and ensure that women receive timely medical care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. According to the Minister, PRIMER serves as the cornerstone of the government's efforts to provide quality medical services to women across the country, focusing on the most critical stages of maternal care.

In his address to the international health community, Akandoh emphasized that achieving such significant health improvements requires more than just financial resources. He noted that reducing maternal mortality necessitates strong political leadership, robust healthcare systems, and clear mechanisms of accountability. By integrating these elements, the government aims to create a sustainable framework that protects the lives of mothers and their infants through every level of the healthcare delivery chain.

The 20% reduction target reflects a proactive shift in Ghana's healthcare policy toward a results-oriented approach in maternal care. As the Ministry of Health moves forward with the implementation of the PRIMER initiative, the focus remains on closing gaps in emergency response times and ensuring that the healthcare system is equipped to provide high-quality, accessible services to all women, regardless of their location.