By Florence Afriyie Mensah, GNA
Kumasi, Aug. 03, GNA – The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), has called for urgent national action to end preventable maternal deaths, as the country works toward meeting global health targets by 2030.
The Society believes that through research and innovation, maternal deaths could be reduced to the barest minimum.
“Solutions must be informed by evidence.
We encourage rigorous research that identifies gaps, evaluates interventions and generates context-specific solutions to the challenges facing maternal health in Ghana”, Professor Thomas O. Konney, President, SOGOG explained.
Speaking at the Society’s 2026 Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Kumasi, he pledged that the professionals would continue to support evidence-based practices that improved outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Through training programmes, simulation exercises, skills development initiatives, and clinical audits, the Society would strive to ensure that healthcare providers were equipped with the knowledge and competencies needed to respond effectively to obstetric emergencies.
Prof. Konney added that, it was the SOGOG’s resolve to strengthen maternal health workers, continue advocacy and policy engagement as well as commit to partnerships to end preventable maternal deaths.
This year’s meeting was held on the theme “Every Mother Counts: Ending Preventable Maternal Deaths in Ghana in Line with SDG 3 Targets”.
The meeting was used to engage in robust scientific discussions, exchange innovative ideas, share emergency evidence, and forge ways to confront challenges honestly and courageously.
Prof. Konney admitted that, although Ghana had made commendable progress in maternal health, with more women accessing skilled birth attendance and increased investment in health services, there were, however, challenges that persisted.
He identified haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, unsafe abortions, anaemia, delays in seeking care, weak referral systems, and shortages of blood and emergency transport as the leading causes of maternal deaths.
The President charged participants to use the meeting to renew their commitment to women and families, and to ensure that Ghana intensified its resolve to end preventable maternal deaths.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister and Chairman of the conference, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage at all levels of healthcare, describing it as critical to ending preventable maternal deaths in Ghana.
He said maternal health was one of the most important indicators of a nation’s overall health system, which required commitment by all stakeholders.
This was why, according to the Minister, the government’s major health focus was the complete removal of financial barriers that prevented people, especially mothers, from accessing timely and quality healthcare.
Dr. Charles Takyi, General Secretary of SOGOG, on the sidelines of the meeting indicated that the SOGOG has screened 120 women and performed 71 gynaecological surgeries during its annual outreach programme in Obuasi ahead of the 2026 Annual General and Scientific Meetings as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
Procedures carried out included myomectomies, hysterectomies, and ovarian cyst removals.
According to him, the outreach also handled five emergency cases including ectopic pregnancies, explaining that these were linked to national health goals – achieving universal health coverage and removing financial barriers to care was critical to ending preventable maternal deaths in Ghana
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Florence Afriyie Mensah
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