Slowing Progress in Maternal Mortality Reduction Raises Concern in Ghana
Despite decades of improvement, Ghana’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths are showing signs of stagnation, according to new findings from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
The latest analysis from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study indicates that while Ghana’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 387 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 275 in 2023, progress has slowed in recent years, with a gradual increase recorded since 2015.
Health experts warn that the trend suggests underlying challenges within the healthcare system that must be urgently addressed to sustain earlier gains.
The study revealed that maternal deaths remain significantly higher among older women, with those aged 40 and above facing the greatest risks, while younger women aged 20–24 recorded the lowest mortality rates.
Although Ghana continues to perform better than the wider West African region—with an MMR about 35 per cent lower than the regional average—the country’s recent trajectory contrasts with continued improvements seen across the sub-region.
The leading causes of maternal deaths have remained largely unchanged over the years, with maternal haemorrhage still the top cause, followed by complications related to hypertension and other direct maternal conditions.
Globally, maternal mortality has declined over the past three decades, but experts caution that progress is uneven and slowing. In 2023 alone, an estimated 240,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes worldwide, with the highest burdens recorded in countries such as Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Researchers say reversing the slowdown will require stronger health systems, improved access to quality maternal care before and after childbirth, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups.
The findings underscore the urgent need for renewed policy focus and investment to ensure that maternal health gains are not only preserved but accelerated.
