President John Dramani Mahama has described Ghana’s maternal mortality rate as unacceptable, saying the country’s rate remains three times higher than the recommended Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.
He made the remarks on Monday, September 21, at a high-level Accra Reset event in New York held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
President Mahama identified maternal and child health as a key measure of the success of the proposed global reset, stressing the need for stronger health systems and more effective international partnerships.
“We are still three times above the recommended SDG targets in maternal mortality. This is unacceptable,” he said.
The President noted that maternal deaths remain a major public health challenge across sub-Saharan Africa, with the region accounting for nearly seven out of every 10 maternal deaths recorded globally each year.
Health at centre of Accra Reset
President Mahama said health had been selected as the first major area of focus under the Accra Reset because of its importance to human wellbeing and development.
“Health is any human being’s most precious possession, and that is why we’ve selected as the first battleground for this global reset the health sector,” he said.
He argued that addressing maternal and child deaths requires countries to strengthen their health systems while building stronger and more equitable international partnerships.
The President also rejected suggestions that structural reforms should be postponed until global geopolitical tensions subside.
“Crisis is precisely why and when new paradigms are forged. Many a time, out of chaos are born new ideas and partnerships,” he stated.
Accra Reset report presented
The event also featured the presentation of the final report of the Accra Reset High-Level Panel to the Presidential Council chaired by President Mahama.
Titled “A Sovereign Future for Health,” the report outlines proposals for reforms in global health governance, while advocating stronger national and regional health systems and greater ownership of health resources by developing countries.
The Accra Reset event forms part of activities held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, bringing together political leaders and development partners to discuss health governance and broader global development cooperation.
Ghana intensifies maternal health response
The President’s comments come as Ghana intensifies efforts to address maternal deaths domestically through the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER).
The five-year initiative aims to reduce maternal deaths by 20% annually through measures designed to strengthen emergency maternal healthcare and improve access to critical services.
President Mahama said tackling maternal mortality would remain an important part of Ghana’s health agenda as the country works towards achieving the SDG targets and improving health outcomes for women and children.
