Health Ministry and Stakeholders Intensify Efforts to Combat Maternal Mortality and Breast Cancer in Ashanti Region

Ghana's health sector is witnessing a renewed push to address critical gaps in women’s healthcare, specifically targeting maternal mortality and breast cancer outcomes. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Deputy Minister of Health, has called for a multisectoral approach to tackle the country’s maternal mortality rate, which she described as the nation's worst-performing health index. Speaking in Kumasi during a visit for the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP), Dr. Ayensu-Danquah revealed that approximately 945 institutional deaths were reported in 2025. She emphasized that reducing these figures requires more than just the efforts of the Health Ministry; it demands a national roadmap that addresses gaps in primary care and the early recognition of high-risk pregnancies.

Complementing these government efforts, Breast Care International, in collaboration with Jhpiego, has launched a targeted project in the Ashanti Region to improve breast cancer detection and treatment navigation. Moving beyond mere screening, this initiative focuses on the critical period after a lesion is detected. The program aims to guide women through the complexities of the healthcare system, ensuring they receive necessary follow-up care and treatment. By engaging community leaders and providing education on self-examinations, the project seeks to eliminate the misconceptions that often lead to late-stage presentations and avoidable deaths.

The challenges within the referral system remain a significant hurdle for healthcare delivery in the region. Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, noted that a substantial number of deaths recorded at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) involve patients referred from other facilities. This highlights a systemic need to improve capacity at the primary and district levels to manage emergencies effectively before they escalate. The dual focus on maternal health and cancer navigation underscores a broader strategy to ensure that women do not just enter the health system, but are successfully supported through to recovery.

As the government and its partners work toward these goals, the focus remains on closing the gap between diagnosis and treatment. The MMARP's National Roadmap for Reducing Maternal Mortality and the community-based navigation projects for cancer represent a two-pronged attack on the barriers preventing women from accessing quality care. Moving forward, stakeholders believe that enhanced stakeholder collaboration and improved institutional referrals will be the cornerstones of reducing preventable deaths among women across Ghana.