The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG) has renewed its commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths in the country, calling for stronger collaboration among government, healthcare professionals, development partners and communities to ensure that no woman loses her life during pregnancy or childbirth.
The call was made at the opening of the Society’s 2026 Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Kumasi, where experts stressed the need for sustained investment, innovation and evidence-based interventions to improve maternal and reproductive healthcare in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 target of reducing maternal mortality.
The four-day conference, which is being held at the Miklin Hotel from July 30 to August 2, is on the theme: “Every Mother Counts: Ending Preventable Maternal Deaths in Ghana in Line with SDG 3 Targets.”
The meeting has brought together obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical specialists, researchers, policymakers, development partners, academics and other healthcare professionals to deliberate on practical strategies to strengthen maternal healthcare delivery across the country.
National concern.
Delivering the welcome address, the President of SOGOG, Prof. Thomas O. Konney, described maternal mortality as one of Ghana’s persistent public health challenges, despite the significant gains the country had made in expanding maternal healthcare services over the years.
He noted that although Ghana had recorded improvements through expanded antenatal care, increased skilled birth attendance and sustained investments in maternal health programmes, many women continued to die from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.
According to him, the leading causes of maternal deaths in Ghana remain severe bleeding after childbirth, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, infections, unsafe abortions and complications arising during labour and delivery.
He explained that many of these deaths could be prevented through timely diagnosis, quality emergency obstetric care and improved access to skilled healthcare professionals.
“The statistics before us are not just numbers. Behind every maternal death is a grieving family, a devastated community and a lost future,” Prof. Konney stated.
He stressed that every maternal death represented a failure of the healthcare system and called for renewed national commitment to reversing the trend.
SDG target.
Prof. Konney observed that Ghana must intensify efforts if it is to attain the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by the year 2030.
He emphasised that every woman, regardless of her geographical location, educational background, social status or economic condition, deserved access to quality, respectful and timely maternal healthcare.
“Our collective responsibility is clear. Every mother deserves dignity. Every mother deserves quality care. Every mother deserves the opportunity to survive pregnancy and childbirth,” he said.
He challenged all stakeholders to move beyond discussions and commit themselves to implementing practical interventions capable of saving the lives of mothers and newborns.
Five strategic commitments
As part of efforts to strengthen maternal healthcare delivery, Prof. Konney outlined five strategic commitments that SOGOG would pursue.
They include promoting excellence in clinical care through continuous professional development, strengthening the maternal health workforce by improving specialist training and equitable deployment, supporting research and innovation to generate evidence-based solutions, intensifying advocacy for policies that improve maternal health services and expanding partnerships with stakeholders.
He noted that eliminating maternal mortality required collective responsibility and sustained collaboration among government institutions, teaching hospitals, healthcare professionals, traditional authorities, religious bodies, civil society organisations and development partners.
“No single institution can solve maternal mortality alone. Strong partnerships remain the surest path towards improving maternal and newborn health outcomes,” he stressed.
Community support
Prof. Konney appealed to traditional leaders, religious organisations, families and community groups to complement government efforts by encouraging early antenatal attendance, skilled delivery at health facilities and postnatal care.
He also urged communities to discourage harmful cultural practices that expose pregnant women to avoidable health risks.
He commended the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and other agencies for implementing interventions that had contributed to improvements in maternal healthcare across the country.
The SOGOG President further acknowledged the invaluable support of development partners, sponsors, researchers and healthcare professionals whose contributions continue to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare.
He paid glowing tribute to obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives, nurses and other frontline health workers for their dedication and sacrifices in safeguarding the lives of mothers and babies.
Scientific deliberations
The scientific meeting will examine a wide range of issues relating to maternal and reproductive healthcare, including emergency obstetric care, maternal nutrition, reproductive health policies, family planning, newborn care, pregnancy-related complications and the application of emerging medical technologies in healthcare delivery.
Participants are also expected to present scientific papers, research findings and case studies highlighting Ghana’s progress in maternal healthcare while identifying existing gaps and proposing practical solutions.
The conference will further explore collaborative approaches involving government institutions, teaching hospitals, professional associations and development partners to accelerate Ghana’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Annual General Meeting
Aside from the scientific sessions, members of SOGOG will hold their Annual General Meeting to review the association’s activities, discuss policy issues affecting specialist healthcare delivery and chart strategies for strengthening obstetrics and gynaecology practice in Ghana.
The conference is also expected to provide continuing professional development opportunities for healthcare practitioners while promoting research, innovation and evidence-based medical practice.
Organisers expressed confidence that the meeting would produce practical recommendations capable of strengthening Ghana’s maternal healthcare system and significantly reducing preventable maternal deaths.
The conference will end on August 2 after four days of scientific presentations, policy discussions, workshops and professional networking aimed at advancing maternal and reproductive healthcare in Ghana.
