The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed profound distress over the persistent occurrence of maternal mortality, labelling the loss of women during childbirth a tragedy that devastates entire families and communities.
Reacting to alarmingly high fatalities across the region—including data from the regional capital, Kumasi, where health authorities recently reported a maternal mortality ratio exceeding 200 deaths per 100,000 live births—the Monarch emphasised that safeguard measures must become a collective priority rather than solely a women’s health concern.
Speaking on the emotional toll on families, His Majesty noted that an expectant father endures immense anxiety throughout labour, making the sudden loss of a wife one of life’s most traumatic experiences.
He stressed that protecting expectant mothers demands active involvement from husbands, traditional leaders, and health administrators alike.
”This does not concern only women; it affects us all. When a woman is in labour, her husband remains restless until she delivers safely. The most heartbreaking experience is to lose a wife during childbirth.”
The Golden Stool occupant pointed to key systemic failures driving these deaths, identifying clinical oversights alongside delays by pregnant women in seeking timely medical intervention.
He expressed concern that some mothers skip critical antenatal clinics, relying instead on past experiences, which leaves severe complications unnoticed until emergency situations arise during delivery.
“Some expectant mothers fail to attend antenatal care clinics, choosing instead to rely solely on previous birthing experiences. This often leads to undetected complications during labour.”
To reverse the trend, Otumfuo advocated aggressive public health campaigns to restore community confidence in healthcare facilities and ensure routine antenatal attendance.
Demanding accountability from health authorities, His Majesty issued a three-month ultimatum for regional directors to present a comprehensive performance review following reports establishing the Ashanti Region as the area with the nation’s highest maternal death toll in 2025.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
