Tamale: The Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) has marked the International Day of the Midwife with a renewed call for urgent investment in the midwifery workforce to enhance maternal and newborn health outcomes across the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, the annual observance of the International Day of the Midwife on May 05 highlights the critical role that midwives play in ensuring the safety and health of mothers and newborns globally. This year's celebration was themed 'One Million More Midwives' at the global level, while the national theme was 'More Midwives for Ghana: Invest, Train, Retain - Save a Mother, Save a Nation'.
The event, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners, gathered policymakers, development partners, health professionals, and student midwives. It also honored midwives nationwide for their commitment and contributions to maternal and newborn healthcare delivery.
Mrs. Netta Forson Ackon, President of GRMA, emphasized during the event in Tamale the necessity for a comprehensive national strategy to tackle the challenges within the midwifery profession. She stressed that merely increasing the number of midwives would not suffice, advocating for equitable deployment, improved working conditions, access to continuous professional development, clear career progression pathways, and measures to address burnout.
Highlighting the importance of midwives, Ms. Ackon mentioned that they are central to maternal and newborn healthcare, often working under challenging conditions. She noted that Ghana witnessed over 900 maternal deaths in 2025, underscoring the need for immediate and sustained interventions. Dr. Emmily Naphambo, Deputy Country Representative for UNFPA, noted that Ghana's maternal mortality ratio remains high at approximately 310 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Dr. Naphambo further highlighted that over 3,000 nurses and midwives leave Ghana annually for better prospects abroad, creating significant gaps in healthcare delivery. She remarked that around 65 percent of Community-based Health Planning and Services zones across Ghana are inadequately staffed with midwives, particularly in rural and underserved areas. In some regions, a single midwife is tasked with the care of thousands, resulting in a disrupted continuum of care when they are unavailable.
She outlined UNFPA's key interventions to bolster midwifery in Ghana, including strengthening education and regulation, promoting digital health innovations, and supporting maternal health initiatives.
Ms. Leticia Asaba Atia, President of the National Association of Registered Midwives, Ghana, advocated for greater autonomy and leadership for midwives within the healthcare system. She expressed concerns about other health professionals taking on leadership roles in midwifery services, asserting that these should be led by trained midwives. Ms. Atia also called for the expansion of specialized midwifery training programs and improved service conditions, particularly for those working in rural and hard-to-reach areas.