Ghana, in collaboration with the Korean Government is set to embark on a turnkey project aimed at improving the quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services in Ghana by the strengthening of Networks of Practice among health facilities.

The project, titled “Improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition Service Delivery by Strengthening the Networks of Practice in Ghana,” will be implemented by the Ghana Health Service with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

Launching the initiative, the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah emphasized that the project represents an important milestone in Ghana’s efforts to improve the quality of care for women, children and adolescents.

She noted that despite the country’s progress in expanding access to health services, maternal and child health challenges remain and require innovative approaches that strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing among health professionals.

According to the Deputy Minister, data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey indicates that maternal mortality remains about 310 deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality stands at 17 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality at 52 per 1,000 live births.

She further indicated that routine data from the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS2) show that skilled delivery coverage exceeds 85 percent nationally, yet maternal deaths continue to occur due to delays in accessing quality care and complications such as hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted other public health concerns affecting women and children, including anemia among pregnant women, which affects approximately 46 percent of expectant mothers.

In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the Service, Dr. Samuel Boakye Boateng, Director PPMED-GHS, described the event as an important milestone in Ghana’s journey to safeguard the lives of mothers and children. He noted that the initiative will further strengthen efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes across the country.

He recognized the valuable role the Government of the Republic of Korea has played over the years in supporting Ghana’s health sector through capacity building, knowledge exchange and health systems strengthening.

According to him, these collaborations demonstrate the shared commitment between Ghana and Korea to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improving access to quality healthcare services. He expressed deep appreciation to the Korea International Cooperation Agency team and the Government of Korea for their continued support to Ghana.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Korean Ambassador, Mr. Donghyun Shin, the 2nd Secretary of the Korean Embassy in Ghana, highlighted the strong and growing relationship between Ghana and the Republic of Korea, noting that the project would contribute significantly to supporting the health and growth of Ghana’s vibrant population, particularly women, children and adolescents.

He commended the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Health Service and the Korea International Cooperation Agency team for their commitment to the successful implementation of previous initiatives. A gesture he maintained would deepen cooperation, strengthen partnerships and expand development collaboration between Ghana and the Republic of Korea.

The Networks of Practice model, which is central to the project, is designed to promote peer learning, mentorship and continuous professional development among health workers across different levels of the health system.

Source: GHS