Health Ministry Reports 986 Maternal Deaths in 2024 as Ashanti Region Breastfeeding Rates Climb

Ghana’s health sector is facing a complex landscape of progress and tragedy, as recent reports reveal a stark maternal mortality figure alongside encouraging improvements in infant nutrition. Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, disclosed that 986 pregnant women lost their lives across the country in 2024, representing a maternal mortality ratio of 235 deaths per 100,000 live births. Simultaneously, health officials in the Ashanti Region have celebrated a rise in exclusive breastfeeding rates, signaling a significant step forward in neonatal care and child survival strategies. Speaking during a Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme tour in Accra, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah emphasized the urgency of strengthening primary healthcare systems to prevent avoidable deaths. The Deputy Minister highlighted that identifying high-risk pregnancies early and addressing critical infrastructure deficits—particularly at major facilities like the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital—are essential steps to lowering the mortality ratio. These figures underscore the ongoing challenges within Ghana's healthcare delivery system as the Ministry seeks to modernize maternal health services under the current administration. In contrast to the mortality challenges, the Ashanti Region has demonstrated success in promoting infant health through breastfeeding. According to Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, exclusive breastfeeding for infants aged zero to three months rose from 81.9% in 2024 to 83.8% in 2025. While the region’s early initiation of breastfeeding rate dipped slightly to 94.0%, it remains close to the ambitious 95% target. Complementary feeding practices also saw a marginal improvement, reaching 76.6%, reflecting a steady commitment to improving nutrition for the nation's youngest citizens during World Breastfeeding Week. Despite these nutritional gains, health officials warn that sustaining progress requires a societal shift in how maternal and child health is supported. Dr. Adomako-Boateng called for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and the establishment of lactation support rooms to assist working mothers. The synthesis of these reports suggests that while Ghana is making strides in postnatal indicators like breastfeeding, the high rate of maternal mortality remains a critical national concern that requires integrated interventions, better infrastructure, and a collective responsibility to ensure that no woman loses her life while bringing another into the world.