986 pregnant women died in Ghana in 2024 – Deputy Health Minister

The Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, says 986 pregnant women died in Ghana in 2024, with the country’s maternal mortality ratio standing at 235 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Speaking during the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme tour in Accra on Thursday, August 6, the deputy Health Minister described maternal mortality as a major health concern and said no woman should die while giving birth.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said the tour of selected health facilities in the Greater Accra Region will help identify gaps in maternal healthcare and strengthen efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths.

“In 2024, 986 pregnant women died,” she said.

Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah added that improving primary healthcare is key to reducing maternal deaths in Ghana, adding that health centres must be equipped to identify and refer high-risk pregnancies early.

She added that the  government will also address infrastructure and equipment challenges at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to improve maternal healthcare services.