Ayensu Rallies Market Women Against Maternal Mortality

The Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Grace Ayensu, has called on women traders at Kotokuraba Market in Cape Coast to champion safe motherhood as part of efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths across Ghana.

The appeal was made during an engagement with the traders as part of the two-day Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP) tour of the Central Region.

Addressing the gathering, Ayensu reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama's commitment, being implemented through the Ministry of Health, to provide free primary healthcare services for pregnant women.

"This policy is intended to remove the financial barriers that often delay or prevent women from accessing timely antenatal care and skilled delivery services," she said.

She urged the traders to mobilise expectant mothers within the market and surrounding communities to begin antenatal care early in pregnancy and deliver in accredited health facilities under the supervision of skilled health professionals.

Ayensu said market women occupy a strategic position in society because of their daily interactions and influence within their communities.

"Market women hold significant social influence and daily reach. They are well-positioned to translate national health policy into actionable, trusted messages at the grassroots," she said.

The deputy minister stressed that tackling maternal mortality requires collective action beyond the health sector.

"Reducing maternal mortality cannot be achieved by the health sector alone. It requires active, community-led participation," she said.

She thanked the Kotokuraba Market women for their warm reception and commitment to supporting the objectives of the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme.

"With this collaboration, we aim to save more mothers, protect more newborns, and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities across the Central Region and beyond," Ayensu added.