HIV prevalence among drug users in Ashanti Region hits 6.6% – NACOC
The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has raised concerns over the high HIV prevalence among people who use drugs in the Ashanti Region, saying the rate is significantly higher than the national average.
The Ashanti Region has recorded the highest maternal mortality rate in Ghana. According to data from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, the region's maternal mortality ratio rose slightly from 195.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024 to 196.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2025. This represents approximately 24.6 per cent of maternal deaths recorded nationwide in 2025.
Health authorities, including Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah, have described the situation as a major concern, particularly in the context of Ghana's efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The national maternal mortality figure currently stands at 235 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly above the SDG target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The Ashanti Region's high mortality rates have been attributed to late referrals to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) by 3News. Dr. Danquah noted that Ghana has only four years to make substantial progress towards the 2030 target, and that the country must reduce its maternal mortality index significantly to achieve this goal.
Brief written by urgent.news from 3News, Adom Online, MyJoyOnline Ghana — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
