MOH ROLLS OUT PHASE 3 MMARP ASSESSMENT IN GA WEST TO COMBAT MATERNAL MORTALITY

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has commenced Phase 3 of the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP) Regional Ecosystem Assessment in the Ga West Municipality, with a call for strengthened collaboration among health authorities, the Ga West Municipal Assembly, traditional leaders, communities and other stakeholders to reduce preventable maternal deaths on 7^th August 2026.

The high-level assessment team, led by the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, visited the Ga West Municipal Assembly in Amasaman, where it engaged the Municipal Health Directorate, municipal officials, heads of health facilities, traditional authorities, and other community stakeholders.

The assessment focused on maternal health service delivery, referral pathways, readiness for emergency obstetric care, and community-level barriers that contribute to delays in accessing maternal healthcare.

Addressing stakeholders at the Ga West Municipal Assembly, the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Prof. Dr Grace Ayesu-Danquah, said the government remains committed to ending preventable maternal deaths and improving maternal healthcare outcomes across the country.

She explained that the MMARP Phase 3 assessment would help identify gaps in emergency obstetric care, referral systems and other areas affecting maternal health, adding that information gathered from Ga West would contribute to the development of the National Roadmap for addressing maternal mortality.

The Deputy Minister urged health facilities to strengthen collaboration, improve data reporting and ensure that women experiencing emergencies receive timely care.

She also expressed concern about the increasing trend of elective Caesarean Sections and called on health professionals to ensure that Caesarean Sections are undertaken when medically necessary.

She stressed the need for midwives and doctors to properly counsel expectant mothers and provide appropriate guidance to ensure that women are not exposed to unnecessary medical risks.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional authorities, the Chief of Mayera, Nii Okule III, welcomed the assessment team and pledged the support of traditional leaders in the fight against maternal mortality.

He said chiefs would use their platforms in the palaces and communities to educate women on the importance of antenatal care, encourage early reporting to health facilities and discourage practices that could endanger the lives of mothers and babies.

Nii Okule III, however, raised concerns about the poor state of roads and infrastructure in Mayera and surrounding communities, noting that the situation could delay the transportation of pregnant women to health facilities during emergencies.

He appealed to the government and the Ga West Municipal Assembly to improve road networks and upgrade facilities in the area to enhance timely access to maternal healthcare.

Hon. John Dessmond Sowah Nai, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ga West Municipal Assembly, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at improving maternal and child health in the Municipality.

The MCE said the Assembly would continue to support Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, provide logistics to facilitate referrals and collaborate with chiefs and community leaders to address cultural and social barriers that delay women from seeking healthcare.

He assured the team from the Ministry of Health of the Assembly’s full cooperation and support throughout the assessment exercise.

Hon. Sedem Afenyo, the Member of Parliament for Ga West, also called for increased investment in health infrastructure and the motivation and recruitment of health professionals, particularly midwives.

He pledged to work with the Ministry of Health, the Municipal Assembly and development partners to advocate for additional midwives, ambulances and well-equipped maternity units for health facilities within the Municipality.

The MP further highlighted the need to strengthen maternal health services at Kojo Ashong to reduce the pressure on the Ga West Municipal Hospital, Amasaman, particularly in emergencies.

A representative of Kemet Hospital, Roselyn Danso, also delivered a goodwill message, emphasizing the shared responsibility of stakeholders in promoting safe deliveries, addressing teenage pregnancy and improving postnatal care.

She commended the collaboration between the Ga West Municipal Health Directorate and private health facilities and noted that Kemet Hospital had participated in the Municipality’s half-year and annual performance reviews.

Stakeholders identified several challenges affecting maternal healthcare delivery in Ga West, including inadequate emergency transportation, delays in referrals and limited community education on pregnancy danger signs.

Following the stakeholder engagement, the MMARP team is expected to visit selected health facilities within the Municipality to assess their readiness and engage frontline health workers on measures to improve maternal healthcare delivery.

The programme was complemented with cultural performances and a drama presentation by staff of the Ga West Municipal Hospital, Amasaman. The drama highlighted the dangers of teenage pregnancy and emphasized the importance of pregnant women seeking immediate medical attention when they experience danger signs.

The Phase 3 MMARP assessment forms part of the Ministry of Health’s broader efforts to identify gaps, strengthen health systems and accelerate interventions aimed at reducing preventable maternal deaths and improving maternal health outcomes in the Ga West Municipality and the country.

Source: Isaac Nana Kwame Boadu, ISD-GWMA.