Ghana must treat maternal mortality as national emergency – Akosua Manu
NPP’s Akosua Manu urges urgent action and stronger accountability to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
In Ghana, the issue of maternal mortality has reached a critical point. A tragedy that should never happen has become a harsh reality for many families. Theresa Boakye Dua, a 31-year-old woman and the wife of a young Ghanaian man, died after giving birth. She had gone to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, commonly known as Ridge Hospital, to have a scheduled Caesarean section.
Instead, she lost her life. Her husband, devastated by her death, attributes it to failures in the healthcare system, negligence, and unprofessional conduct. He vows to expose the truth behind her death, hoping to prevent other husbands from experiencing the same devastating news. The story of Theresa has sparked outrage and sadness on social media, with many sharing their own experiences of childbirth complications and loss.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has described maternal mortality as the most significant health challenge in Ghana, with about 945 institutional maternal deaths reported in 2025. She calls for a more focused approach to addressing the issue, emphasizing the need to recognize high-risk pregnancies early and provide specialized care.
Many Ghanaians are now demanding accountability, better healthcare facilities, and safe delivery conditions. While healthcare workers are not solely to blame, they cannot overcome the existing gaps in supervision, staffing, and equipment.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
