Lordina Mahama Highlights Critical Health Deficits in Anyima Visit | Discuss Ghana

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, First Lady Mrs. Lordina Mahama used the commissioning of the newly renovated Anyima Health Centre to shine a spotlight on the persistent challenges facing maternal and child health in Ghana.

Addressing the chiefs and people of the Kintampo South District, she provided a sobering look at the statistics that continue to drive her Foundation's mission.

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The Reality of Ghana's Healthcare Gaps

The First Lady cited specific data to underscore why the renovation of rural facilities is a matter of life and death:

Maternal Mortality: Ghana still records nearly 300 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Infant Mortality: Approximately 32 infant deaths occur for every 1,000 live births.

Risk Factors: Mrs. Mahama noted that nearly one in ten Ghanaian women faces significant pregnancy-related death risks over their lifetime due to inadequate facilities and lack of specialized care.

Call for Skilled Attendants and Access

Mrs. Mahama emphasized that while new buildings are essential, they must be paired with human resources and proper logistics:

Skilled Birth Attendants: She stressed the urgent need for more skilled birth attendants in rural areas, noting that timely intervention by trained professionals is the single most effective way to prevent maternal deaths.

Quality of Care: The First Lady argued that access to a health center is only half the battle; the "quality of care" provided must be dignified, safe, and efficient.

Emergency Logistics: She highlighted the "referral gap," where women in labor often lose their lives during long travels to distant hospitals, making the Anyima Health Centre's new emergency and laboratory units vital.

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A Vision for "Zero Deaths"

The Lordina Foundation’s work in Anyima is part of a broader strategy to support the government's target of reducing maternal mortality to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"No mother should face childbirth gripped by fear for her life or her baby. These statistics are an injustice we must not accept." — Mrs. Lordina Mahama