Akosua Manu calls for inquiry into Ghana maternal deaths

Akosua Manu, an adviser on Gender and Social Protection to New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for Ghana to declare maternal mortality a national emergency. She is urging Parliament to launch a bipartisan inquiry into the deaths of women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Manu’s appeal follows the death of Theresa Boakye at Ridge Hospital in July. Citing data from the Ghana Health Service, Manu noted that 965 women died from pregnancy-related complications in 2025 alone. She emphasized the need for an honest assessment of the health system, specifically regarding emergency obstetric care, blood availability, referral systems, staffing, response times, and facility conditions.

Manu stressed that any parliamentary investigation must lead to practical measures and accountability rather than producing a report that lacks follow-up action.