According to the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, the region experienced 174 maternal fatalities in 2021.

Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, speaking to the media at the beginning of a campaign to combat maternal mortality, stated that the majority of these deaths are caused by unsafe abortion.

"We lose our women through maternal deaths. Last year, Ashanti Region recorded 174 maternal deaths, which means we lost 174 women due to complications of pregnancy. Globally, about 5 to 10 percent of women die through unsafe abortions.”

He described the situation as concerning and stated that the GHS is committed to bolstering safe abortion to save more lives.

Global figures estimate that 5 to 10% of women die each year as a result of unsafe abortion, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

GHS will also aim to reduce the stigma connected with safe abortion, according to Emmanuel Tenkorang.

He believes that raising awareness about safe abortion will inspire young people, in particular, to seek help in the event of unwanted pregnancies.

“In Ghana, we want to strengthen safe abortion services and then do away with unsafe abortions. We need to work together to empower them to know what to do in an event of unwanted pregnancy. The campaign will educate and empower them on what to do in the case of an unwanted pregnancy.”

Source: The Independent Ghana