Groups of mothers at Kanania

BA group of mothers hold onto their healthy babies at the Kanania Clinic in the Upper East Region. Through a mobile technology partnership between the Grameen Foundation and Ghana Health Service, the mothers were educated on antenatal health care.

Groups of mothers at Kanania


Maternal, Child and Newborn Survival Clinic in Kanania

Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) clinics were launched to improve health care around the country. Located in a farming community near Navrongo in the Upper East Region, this centre focuses on care for mothers and their children.

Maternal, Child and Newborn Survival Clinic in Kanania


Volunteers at the Kanania Clinic

Health initiatives are working to reduce the number of births by unskilled birth attendants. In 2009, 45.6 per cent of deliveries were attended by a trained health professional, down from the target goal of 60 per cent.

Volunteers at the Kanania Clinic


Mother holding sleeping baby at Kanania

In Ghana the leading causes of maternal death are related to hypertension, hemorrhaging and infections. In more rural parts of the country, a lack of skilled health professionals attending births is an issue. The country faces a divide between urban and rural services. Through the construction of CHPS facilities and efforts to get traditional birth attendants working with skilled professionals, there is an attempt the divide.

Mother holding sleeping baby at Kanania


Healthy baby is fascinated by camera

Antenatal education is one of the ways the Ghana Health Service is trying to reduce maternal mortality. Many of the causes of maternal death can be prevented through proper care during pregnancy. By monitoring hemoglobin levels during pregnancy, health professionals say they can reduce the risk of hemorrhaging during birth.

Healthy baby is fascinated by camera


Mother in front of store with son

In 2009 the Ghanaian government declared maternal mortality to be a “national emergency,” making enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) free for all expectant mothers.

Mother in front of store with son


Worried baby girl

According to the United Nations, in 2009 Ghana had an infant mortality rate of 47 per 1,000 live births. Since the creation of the Millennium Development Goals, Ghana has reduced its under five-mortality rate by 30 per cent.

Worried baby girl


Young boy leaning against compound wall

As well as the rural-urban divide in Ghana, there is also a divide between the regions. The northern parts of the country face higher levels of poverty and food insecurity. In the Upper East Region, 36 per cent of children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Young boy leaning against compound wall


Crying baby sits in front of other children

Millennium Development Goal number five is to improve maternal health. The two targets set for the goal are to “reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio” and “achieve universal access to reproductive health.” Ghana will not accomplish either of these goals by 2015.

Crying baby sits in front of other children


Toddler stands in front of house

In an effort to reduce malnutrition in the country, the Food and Drug Board launched a five-year project to fortify foods. Wheat flour and vegetable cooking oil, two commonly used items have been fortified with micronutrients. The goal of the program is to help improve the health of children and women of a childbearing age.

Toddler stands in front of house


Young girl goofs off for the camera

The Women Caucus in Parliament has been pushing for improved maternal health in the country. Through their efforts, improvements and expansions to the maternity unit in the capital city’s teaching have been made.

Young girl goofs off for the camera


Older girl and toddler hiding from the rain

Maternal death, caused by pregnancy or childbirth complications, is the second highest killer of Ghanaian women between 15 and 29. Infectious diseases are the only cause of death that outranks maternal death.

Older girl and toddler hiding from the rain