The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has expressed deep concern over a sharp rise in maternal deaths, which have already exceeded the national target of 125 deaths per 100,000 live births.
At the 2025 Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting in Kumasi, the Regional Health Director, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, disclosed that 232 maternal deaths were recorded between January and June 2025.
This represents a significant increase compared to 144 deaths in 2023 and 158 in 2024. Dr. Adomako-Boateng attributed the surge to weak referral systems and limited capacity at lower-level health facilities.
He warned that without urgent systemic interventions, the region’s goal of achieving quality Primary Health Care (PHC) coverage by 2030 would remain out of reach. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the gatekeeper system, establishing effective referral filters, and adequately resourcing CHPS compounds and health centres.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng further urged stakeholders to provide support in areas such as staff accommodation, security, equipment, and accountability mechanisms to help reduce preventable maternal deaths.
“Without collective support from stakeholders to strengthen the gatekeeper system, provide the needed logistics, and ensure accountability, this challenge cannot be addressed,” he cautioned.
