Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Launches PRIMER Initiative to Target 20% Annual Reduction in Maternal Mortality

Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, acting on behalf of President John Mahama, has officially launched the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER). The flagship program, introduced under the theme "No Woman Should Die While Giving Life," aims to significantly overhaul the nation's approach to maternal care. With an ambitious target to reduce maternal deaths by 20% annually over the next three years, the initiative represents a high-level commitment to safeguarding the lives of expectant mothers across Ghana.

The launch comes at a critical time as Ghana seeks to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which target fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Currently, Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio remains high at 234 per 100,000 live births. In 2025 alone, the country recorded 965 institutional maternal deaths, highlighting the urgent need for a more robust intervention to address systemic gaps in the healthcare delivery chain.

PRIMER is designed as a multisectoral intervention that moves beyond clinical care to address logistical and infrastructural barriers. A core component of the initiative is the integration of the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP), which focuses on strengthening emergency response and referral systems. By fostering collaboration between the health, transportation, and communication sectors, the program seeks to ensure that women in labor can access medical facilities quickly and that those facilities are fully prepared for emergency obstetric care.

The five-year initiative also prioritizes the early identification of high-risk pregnancies to prevent complications before they become fatal. Vice President Opoku-Agyemang urged all stakeholders, including healthcare providers and community leaders, to work in unison to ensure that no woman loses her life while bringing forth new life. As the program rolls out, the government expects that improved resource allocation and better-coordinated emergency protocols will provide a sustainable path toward achieving national and international health targets.