Project HOPE Expands to Ghana to Improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Accra, Ghana (3 January 2025) – Project HOPE, with support from USAID Ghana, is proud to partner with the Ghana Health Service to start up the $45 million, five-year Integrated Health Partnership (IHP) to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health for underserved communities in Ghana. This new activity will focus on strengthening obstetric, newborn, and child health services; boosting reproductive health and family planning access; and addressing malnutrition, malaria, and antimicrobial resistance for health security in 65 Networks of Practice (NoP) in Ghana’s northern and western regions, and in hospitals nationwide serving mothers, newborns, and children.
In the past decade, Ghana has made significant strides in reducing maternal and child mortality rates due to the scale-up of immunizations and essential antenatal, maternal, and newborn interventions. In addition, the country’s Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) policy has helped to reduce mortality rates by providing an array of cost-effective, quality health care services across Ghana.
Despite significant progress, alarming inequalities and disparities persist, particularly in the northern regions where 19% of children are chronically malnourished with a 33% stunting rate and over 50% of primary facilities lack basic infrastructure and essential medical equipment. Nationwide, Ghana’s 2022 Demographic and Health Survey found that four in ten women were anemic, contributing to poor birth outcomes. The survey also revealed that approximately 40 out of every 1,000 babies born die before their fifth birthday from preventable causes related to prematurity, infection, and illness.
“Over the next five years, Project HOPE will continue addressing systemic barriers keeping essential maternal, newborn, and child health care out of reach in Ghana through the Integrated Health Partnership (IHP) with USAID Ghana. Together with our partners, we will build more resilient health systems so every mother can access supportive pregnancy care, and every child can have the healthiest possible start,” said Rabih Torbay, Project HOPE’s President and CEO. “Project HOPE has focused on reducing maternal and child mortality rates across Africa for decades, and we’re energized to expand this work into Ghana where we can create lasting change through USAID’s support and the American people’s generosity.”
Working alongside the Ghana Health Service, Project HOPE will focus on enhancing care quality, developing health care worker skills, and expanding community outreach. Project HOPE is partnering with established local organizations including the Christian Health Association of Ghana, Sanford World Clinics Ghana, Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Vayu Global Health Foundation. These partnerships ensure solutions are community-driven and sustainable, promoting lasting improvements in health care access for mothers, babies, and children across Ghana.
To learn more about Project HOPE’s work in Ghana, click here.
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About Project HOPE
Project HOPE is a global health and humanitarian organization with 65+ years of experience strengthening access to health care and responding to health and humanitarian crises. We work hand-in-hand with local health systems and provide health workers with the tools and training they need to save lives, while driving long-term transformation. For more information on Project HOPE and its work around the world, visit www.ProjectHOPE.org and follow us on X @ProjectHOPEorg.
