Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over Ghana's maternal mortality rate, stating that it remains three times above the recommended Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target. He made these remarks at a high-level Accra Reset event held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 21. The event brought together political leaders and development partners to discuss health governance and broader global development cooperation.
President Mahama identified maternal and child health as one of the key measures by which the proposed global reset would be assessed. He emphasized that maternal deaths remain a significant challenge across sub-Saharan Africa, with the region accounting for nearly seven out of every 10 maternal deaths globally each year. According to him, addressing this challenge requires stronger health systems and international partnerships.
The Accra Reset event focused on health as the first battleground for this global reset. President Mahama noted that health is a human being's most precious possession, and that is why the health sector was selected as the first area of focus. He rejected arguments that structural reforms should be delayed until global geopolitical tensions ease, stating that crisis is precisely when new paradigms are forged.
The event also saw the presentation of the final report of the Accra Reset High-Level Panel to the Presidential Council, chaired by President Mahama. The report, titled “A Sovereign Future for Health,” sets out recommendations for reforms in global health governance and strengthening national and regional health systems. This report aims to provide a framework for addressing health challenges, including maternal mortality.
Ghana has recently intensified its domestic response to maternal deaths through the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER). This five-year programme aims to reduce maternal deaths by 20% annually. The initiative is part of the country's efforts to address the high maternal mortality rate and achieve the SDG targets.
President Mahama's call for action on maternal mortality is a significant step towards addressing this challenge. He emphasized that the Accra Reset must move from design to execution, and that sustaining economic gains is a real test. The former President also highlighted the need for new ideas and partnerships to address health challenges, stating that many a time, out of chaos are born new ideas and partnerships.
The issue of maternal mortality in Ghana requires a multi-faceted approach, involving stronger health systems, international partnerships, and domestic initiatives. The country's efforts to address this challenge, including the PRIMER initiative, are crucial steps towards achieving the SDG targets. The Accra Reset event has provided a platform for leaders to discuss health governance and development cooperation, with a focus on addressing maternal mortality and other health challenges.
Key points
- Ghana's maternal mortality rate is three times above the SDG target.
- The country has launched the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER) to reduce maternal deaths.
- Stronger health systems and international partnerships are required to address maternal mortality.
