“We’re Losing Too Many”: Ghana’s Alarming Rise in Infant and Maternal Deaths Sparks National Concern

A mother and her baby

Every month in Ghana, over 3,000 babies die before celebrating their first birthday. Behind each number is a grieving family, a mother’s heartbreak, and a life that never got the chance to begin. This tragic reality was highlighted by the Ministry of Health in a statement marking World Health Day on April 7, 2025, under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”

According to the Ministry, Ghana’s infant mortality rate stands at 52 deaths for every 1,000 live births. With around 780,000 babies born each year, that means more than 40,000 infants are lost annually — lives that could have been saved.

“These are not just statistics. These are children — and these are preventable deaths,” the Ministry said.

The statement painted a sobering picture of the challenges facing mothers and newborns across the country. Inadequate postnatal care, a shortage of skilled birth attendants, and gaps in the health system are placing countless lives at risk. The consequences are devastating — not only for families but for the future of the nation.

Maternal deaths are also on the rise. Between 2022 and 2023, the maternal mortality rate increased from 102.6 to 109.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. Regions like Greater Accra and Ashanti recorded the highest numbers. Infant deaths also rose, from 7.4 to 8.1 per 1,000 live births, while deaths of children under five increased from 9.8 to 10.9.

The highest child death rates were reported in northern Ghana — areas already burdened with limited resources.

Equally alarming is the decline in skilled birth attendance, which dropped from 62.6% to 60.6%. That means fewer mothers are receiving the expert care they desperately need during one of life’s most vulnerable moments.

“These figures are heartbreaking. No woman should have to fear for her life — or her baby’s — during childbirth,” the Ministry stated. “We must do better.”

The government says it is taking action. Initiatives like the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MahamaCares) and the Free Primary Healthcare Programme aim to improve access and quality of care.

But as Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh admitted, more must be done.

Planned interventions include expanding the number of skilled birth attendants, improving the quality of maternity services, and ensuring that mothers and babies receive continuous care — from pregnancy through the early years of life.

The Ministry also called on the public to take action: “Visit health facilities early. Seek antenatal care. Demand quality services. And above all, hold us accountable.”

As the world commemorates World Health Day, Ghana is reminded that the path to a brighter future begins with protecting its most vulnerable — mothers and children.

“Our vision is clear,” the Ministry concluded. “With unity, compassion, and commitment, every woman can survive childbirth, and every baby can have a fighting chance at life.”

MICHAEL OPPONG-AMPONSAH