President Mahama has made a strong call to local authorities to account for maternal health in their respective districts saying that no death is acceptable during child delivery.
He has therefore challenged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to take special interest in initiating and supporting efforts aimed at reducing the rate of maternal mortality in their respective areas, stressing that their ability to reduce the rate of maternal mortality will be used as performance appraisal for the renewal of their mandate.
The president said this at the dissemination of the Campaign for Accelerated Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) accountability report entitled, "Rising to Meet the Challenge of Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Ghana", which captures the achievable commitments from 10 regions and 175 districts in the country to reduce maternal mortality.
The dissemination of the CARMMA report which also marked the launch of the 2013 Maternal and Newborn Health Week Celebration in Ghana was under the theme "No woman should die giving life: The role of local authorities". It was attended by a cross-section of the media, staff of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), representatives of other United Nations agencies in Ghana, Ministers of State, MMDCEs and other interest groups.
CARMMA is an African Union (AU) initiative to promote and advocate for the renewed and intensified implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action for Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa.The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with support from bilateral donors, has been the driving force behind CARMMA, pushing for its adoption and implementation at global, regional and national levels.
The CARMMA was accepted in Ghana and launched at the national level by a former First Lady, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, in Koforidua in 2009. She championed its implementation in all the regions.
Ghana currently has a national figure of 320 maternal deaths for every 100,000 births. This is far higher than the United Nations standard figure of 187 out of every 100,000 births.
Writer’s Email: enock.gyan2@gmail.com
