{
  "id": 802393,
  "title": "Ashanti Region records Ghana’s highest maternal mortality rate at 196.7 deaths per 100,000 births",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/ashanti-region-records-ghanas-highest-maternal-mortality-rate-at-196",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-13T19:39:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ashanti-region-records-ghanas-highest-maternal-mortality-rate-at-196-7-deaths-per-100000-births/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ashanti Region of Ghana has been identified as having the highest maternal mortality rate in the country, with 196.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2025, according to data from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate. This represents a slight increase from 195.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024. The region also accounts for about 24.6 percent of the total maternal deaths recorded in Ghana last year.\n\nDeputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu Danquah, has expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing that it is a major challenge in the context of Ghana's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The national maternal mortality rate stands at 235 deaths per 100,000 live births, far exceeding the SDG target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. \"To achieve universal health coverage and meet the SDGs, we need to reduce maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births,\" Dr Danquah stated.\n\nHealth authorities warn against assuming that the high rate in the Ashanti Region is solely due to the quality of care provided by local health facilities. They stress the need for a comprehensive analysis of the various factors contributing to maternal mortality in order to implement effective intervention strategies.",
  "summary": "The Ashanti Region has recorded Ghana’s highest maternal mortality rate, with health authorities calling for urgent interventions to prevent further deaths among women during pregnancy and childbirth.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Ashanti Region records Ghana’s highest maternal mortality rate at 196.7 deaths per 100,000 births",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/ashanti-region-records-ghanas-highest-maternal-mortality-rate-at-196-803712",
        "published": "2026-08-13T20:39:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}