The government is developing a national roadmap to address persistent challenges affecting maternal healthcare in Ghana, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah has announced, as authorities seek to reduce preventable deaths among pregnant women and mothers. Newscard
The proposed roadmap is expected to establish more consistent standards of care, strengthen quality assurance and improve the delivery of maternal health services across the country.
The announcement comes amid renewed calls for dedicated domestic funding and more coordinated interventions to help Ghana achieve its maternal health targets.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah disclosed the plans while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where public institutions were responding to issues raised in the 2025 Auditor-General’s performance audit reports.
According to sources, the Deputy Minister said the government had identified key challenges affecting maternal healthcare and was working towards a common framework that would guide service delivery and quality control across all regions. She also called for dedicated funding to support maternal health interventions.
The initiative is intended to address gaps in the healthcare system that can prevent women from receiving timely and appropriate care during pregnancy, childbirth and the period after delivery.
Government calls for sustainable maternal health funding
Dr Ayensu-Danquah has emphasised that financing is central to improving maternal healthcare, warning that Ghana could struggle to meet its 2030 targets without reliable domestic funding.
In a separate engagement with the Public Accounts Committee, she urged Parliament to consider a specific budget allocation for maternal health services. She argued that depending on funding sources that cannot be sustained over time could undermine efforts to reduce avoidable maternal deaths. Editorial Standards
The Deputy Minister identified haemorrhage as a leading cause of maternal deaths and called for earlier detection and treatment of conditions that increase risks during pregnancy and delivery. She specifically highlighted anaemia, which can be identified and managed at the primary healthcare level before it develops into a more serious complication.
A dedicated funding line could help authorities plan more consistently for essential medicines, blood supplies, equipment, emergency transport and staffing. However, the impact would depend on how funds are released, distributed and monitored, as well as whether facilities receive the resources they need on time.
Referral systems and emergency care remain critical
Maternal deaths can occur when complications are not identified early, when patients face delays in reaching an appropriate facility, or when receiving hospitals lack the staff, equipment or supplies needed to provide emergency treatment.
The government’s wider maternal health response includes the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER), a five-year programme launched in September 2026 to strengthen emergency care and address barriers affecting mothers and newborns.
A source reported that PRIMER is intended to improve referral and transport systems, access to blood and essential medicines, staffing, equipment, health data and coordination among public institutions. The initiative also emphasises accountability and sustainable domestic financing.
The roadmap announced by Dr Ayensu-Danquah could help align these efforts by setting common standards and guiding facilities towards more consistent care. Its practical value will depend on how clearly responsibilities are assigned and how progress is measured across regions and hospitals.
Technology to improve hospital bed management
Alongside maternal health reforms, the Deputy Minister announced progress on a technology-driven bed management system designed to address shortages of beds in emergency departments. Editorial Ethics & Independence
According to reports, the system has entered its pilot phase, with hospitals establishing bed management teams to support implementation.
A coordinated bed management system can help hospitals obtain a clearer picture of available capacity and improve decisions about where patients should be admitted or referred. In emergencies involving pregnant women, timely access to an appropriate bed can be particularly important when specialised treatment is required.
Technology alone, however, cannot resolve shortages if facilities lack sufficient beds, trained staff, equipment or space. Its effectiveness will depend on accurate information, cooperation between hospitals and the ability to act on the data provided.
Accountability and consistent standards
The discussions before the Public Accounts Committee also highlighted the importance of accountability across public health institutions. A national roadmap could provide a framework for monitoring whether facilities are meeting agreed standards and identifying areas where additional support is needed.
Clear reporting would also help authorities understand why some regions or hospitals experience greater difficulties than others. That information could support more targeted investment and allow successful interventions to be adapted for use elsewhere.
For pregnant women and their families, the ultimate test will be whether the reforms lead to safer pregnancies, faster referrals and better access to skilled care when complications arise.
Turning the roadmap into results
Ghana’s maternal healthcare challenges cannot be resolved through policy announcements alone. Effective implementation will require reliable funding, well-equipped facilities, skilled health professionals, accessible emergency transport and cooperation among government agencies, hospitals and communities. Corrections Policy
The proposed roadmap offers an opportunity to coordinate these priorities and establish clearer expectations for maternal healthcare nationwide. Dedicated financing and transparent monitoring will be essential to ensure that plans translate into practical improvements.
As the government works towards its 2030 maternal health targets, the focus will be on turning commitments into measurable progress and ensuring that women receive timely, quality care throughout pregnancy and childbirth.