Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Launches PRIMER to Combat High Maternal Mortality in Ghana

On September 14, 2026, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang officially launched the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER), a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at curbing Ghana’s high maternal mortality rate. Currently standing at approximately 300 deaths per 100,000 live births, the nation’s maternal mortality figures have plateaued, prompting President John Mahama to call for urgent, coordinated action. The initiative seeks to treat preventable maternal deaths not merely as medical setbacks but as systemic failures requiring immediate accountability across all levels of government and the health sector.

Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), underscored that the success of PRIMER depends on a multi-sectoral approach that extends far beyond the walls of hospitals. He highlighted critical factors such as transportation, infrastructure, and public financing as essential components in saving lives. The initiative aims to enhance political visibility for maternal health while integrating with existing programs like the Maternal Mortality Reduction Acceleration and Response Program. Dr. Thompson called for the active involvement of traditional and religious leaders to confront cultural stigmas and misinformation that often prevent women from seeking timely medical care.

Specific geographical challenges were highlighted by Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, who revealed that 70% of maternal deaths are concentrated within just 11 of Ghana's regions, with the Ashanti Region recording the highest fatalities. PRIMER will specifically target these high-risk areas by improving emergency referrals, staffing, and access to essential medicines and critical care equipment. Furthermore, Dr. Sennen Hounton of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) noted that rural health outcomes are hampered by a lack of incentives for health workers in remote areas, advocating for bonding arrangements and motivational packages to ensure professional healthcare is available in the country's most underserved locations.

The initiative is structured around five strategic pillars, focusing on political leadership, evidence-based action, and sustainable financing. By treating every maternal death as an emergency and aiming for a 20% annual reduction in fatalities over the next three years, the government hopes to align with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. As Vice President Opoku-Agyemang concluded, the ultimate measure of the initiative's success will be the simple yet profound metric of every mother returning home safely with her baby.