News
Govt commended for reducing maternal mortality
![• Dr. Wilfred Ochan (fitth from right) with Mr. Martin Adu-Owusu [fourth from right] and Staff UNFPA and NTC after the meeting Photo: Okai Elizabeth](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr.-Wilfred-Ochan-fitth-from-right-with-Mr.-Martin-Adu-Owusu-fourth-from-right-and-Staff-UNFPA-and-NTC-after-the-meeting-Photo-Okai-Elizabeth-scaled.jpg)
The decision to keep or terminate a pregnancy should solely be the choice of women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana representative has said.
“The sense is that people should plan when they wish to start having babies, the spacing between the children, number of children and when you wish to stop having children,” the UNFPA said.
The Country Representative of UNFPA, Dr Wilfred Ochan said this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on the Management of New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra.
The visit formed part of UNFPA’s effort to strengthen partnership between the two entities and also to amplify reproductive health advocacy.
He further reiterated his outfit’s commitment to achieving a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
He explained that enabling individuals to make informed decisions about when and how to have children is central to their mandate.
“In Ghana, about 23 per cent of people who need contraceptives are unable to access them. We at UNFPA support the procurement of 40 per cent of the country’s contraceptive commodities to help meet this need. Our aim is to achieve zero unmet need for family planning,” he noted.
Dr Ochan said to have a satisfactory outcome of every pregnancy, it was important to have both mother and child alive but that is not so with every pregnancy, stating that “ we still get 310 women per 100,000 live births die in the process of child birth.
According to the Country’s Director of UNPFA, Ghana was far from achieving the global target of 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 but commended Ghana for taking some bold steps in reducing maternal mortality.
In an attempt to reduce maternal mortality, Dr Ochan called for training of midwives, equipping them with right skills and competence and also mentoring them on the job while developing policies and guidelines.
Highlighting the devastating impact of obstetric fistula; a condition often caused by obstructed labour, Dr Ochan called attention to the upcoming International Day to end Obstetric Fistula, observed annually on May 23.
As part of the 2025 commemoration, UNFPA will visit fistula survivors and support repair surgeries at hospitals in Ho, Cape Coast, and other facilities.
Responding, the Managing Director of NTC, Mr Martin Adu Owusu pledged the corporation’s readiness to collaborate with UNFPA to ensure maternal deaths was reduced.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N. M Quaittoo called on the UNFPA to open its doors and be ready to share information to the paper as it focused on maternal issues.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Times Ladies Association, a group consisting of female staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), on Monday commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day with a call on women to empower themselves through education, unity and healthy living to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The event, held at the NTC’s boardroom, was attended by management members and staff of the corporation and was to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on their role in society.
In her address, the President of the association, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo, said the global celebration, marked annually on March 8, recognised the economic, political and social achievements of women while raising awareness about gender equality.
Although the international celebration fell on Sunday, she explained that the association decided to mark the occasion on March 9 to enable members to participate fully and commemorate the day in their own way.
Speaking on this year’s theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,’ and the global campaign theme: ‘Give to Gain,’ she the association had over the years worked tirelessly to support the growth and progress of the corporation despite the challenges they faced.
Urged members to commit themselves to deeper service to humanity and the advancement of women. She said women were unique, resilient and invaluable to society, stating that they deserved respect, appreciation, kindness and love for the vital roles they played in families, workplaces and communities.
According to her, members of the President, who is also the Editor of The Spectator newspaper, encouraged members to empower themselves academically and take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives and careers.
She also urged them to maintain healthy lifestyles by going for regular medical check-ups, exercise regularly, get enough rest and support one another.
Moreover, she advised members to accept leadership positions when given the opportunity and to exhibit qualities such as hard work, confidence, patience, compassion and responsibility in both their homes and workplaces.
Contributing, the Chanel Marketing and Circulation Manager, Mr Alfred Koomson, said women played critical roles in society and deserved to be supported and appreciated.
He urged men to recognise that they were often vulnerable species without the care, support and contributions of women in their lives.
He, therefore, commended women for the invaluable roles they play as mothers, caregivers, professionals and leaders, stressing that society would be incomplete without them.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
GHANA celebrated her 69th Independence Anniversary last Friday with colourful parades across all 16 regions of the country.
This year’s theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset,’ emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
At the Jubilee House, dignitaries present were President John Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents, Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, behalf of the President, former President of Tanzania, and other distinguished guests.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, addressed the nation at the seat of government whiles Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives addressed their various assemblies on.
As part of the celebrations, school children paraded and displayed their marching skills whiles others performed cultural and other social activities to mark the day across the regions.
