Samira Bawumia launches solar power project for maternity facilities

Former Second Lady Hajia Samira Bawumia has launched the Powering Safe Delivery Initiative during the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye. The initiative is designed to provide reliable solar electricity to underserved healthcare facilities across Africa, with an immediate focus on maternal and newborn care units in Ghana. By equipping Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and primary healthcare centers with sustainable energy, the project aims to ensure that electricity shortages do not compromise life-saving medical services for mothers and infants.

Speaking at the global climate summit, Mrs. Bawumia emphasized the critical link between climate action and health outcomes. She noted that while her organisation, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), has previously distributed over 11,000 birth kits to expectant mothers, the lack of consistent electricity remains a major barrier to effective healthcare delivery in remote areas. The new initiative seeks to address high maternal and neonatal mortality rates by providing the infrastructure necessary for modern medical equipment to function continuously, regardless of the national grid's stability.

Beyond maternal health, the former Second Lady leveraged the COP31 platform to advocate for increased investment in clean cooking solutions. She highlighted the health risks women and children face from traditional cooking methods, which contribute to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation. By promoting cleaner technologies and solar-powered healthcare, the initiative aligns health improvements with broader climate adaptation strategies, focusing on innovative financing and international partnerships to uplift African communities.

The Powering Safe Delivery Initiative is envisioned as a scalable model that can be replicated in other African nations facing similar energy and healthcare challenges. In addition to its health objectives, the project is set to create youth training and employment opportunities within the renewable energy sector. Mrs. Bawumia called for collaborative support from global stakeholders to implement the initiative effectively, stressing that practical investments in green infrastructure are essential for building resilient healthcare systems.