The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Mental Health Authority Ghana, has launched Ghana’s Maternal Mental Health Policy to address inadequate attention to maternal mental health issues across the country.
The initiative seeks to strengthen mental health support systems for pregnant women and new mothers, while improving access to quality care nationwide.
Speaking at the launch in Accra on Tuesday, March 31, the Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Eugene Dordoye, said the policy underscores the need to prioritise maternal mental health in Ghana.
“This policy recognises that the mental health of mothers is not a private matter but a national asset that requires urgent attention,” he said.
He revealed that Ghana’s national situational analysis shows that about 50 percent of pregnant women experience mental health conditions, describing the situation as a major public health concern.
World Health Organization Ghana Representative, Dr. Fiona Braka, said Ghana’s progress in health regulation presents new opportunities for the country’s health sector.
“With Ghana reaching WHO Maturity Level 4 in clinical trials oversight, the focus now is on building a resilient clinical trials ecosystem for local vaccine manufacturing, and WHO is here to support every step,” she said.
She added that Ghana’s vaccine production plan requires a strong clinical trials system.
Cluster Lead for Health System Strengthening, Dr. Sofonias Asrat, said mental health remains critical to national development.
“Mental health is the foundation of healthy families. Safeguarding the emotional well-being of mothers, therefore, translates into safeguarding the future of Ghana,” he stated.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health assured that the implementation of the policy will be backed by the necessary financial support.
The policy is expected to guide interventions, promote awareness and strengthen healthcare systems to improve mental health outcomes for mothers across Ghana.
With this development, stakeholders are expected to play a key role in improving maternal mental health and strengthening family well-being nationwide.
