More pregnant women die in Ashanti Region

Kwabena Owusu Ampratwum speaking to a traditional birth attendant

Concern is growing over the high incidence of maternal mortality in the Ashanti Region. In 2011, more than 250 women lost their lives during labour while more than 70 others have passed on this year in the region. Health officials there say they are making efforts to change this state of affairs. But are their efforts enough?

Luv FM's Kwabena Owusu Ampratwum has been finding out in his Hotline documentary titled High Risk Birth.

The painful issue of rising maternal mortality in the Ashante region was brought home to me through the bitter experience of my own colleague Ohemeng Tawiah.

When Ohemeng married his wife Adelaide Abena Ofosuaa three years ago, his dream was to raise a happy family with her.

Adelaide was to be his lifelong partner who would bring happiness and satisfaction to his home for the rest of his life.

But that aspiration was soon curtailed after the birth of their first child two years ago.

For many men and families in the Ashanti Region the story of Ohemeng Tawiah, my colleague broadcast journalist with Nhyira FM in Kumasi is all too familiar.

Their wives and relations never returned home after delivering their babies.

Some were fortunate to have the children survive…for others they lost not just the pot, but the contents as well.

The incidence of maternal mortality seems to have reduced over the last ten years from 549 to 350 per 100,000 live births from 1990 to 2010. It however went up to 380 per 100,000 live births in 2011.

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