Ms Sherry Ayitey, Minister of Health on Saturday announced that plans are far advanced in providing each town in the country with midwives and community health nurses.

She said her outfit is carrying out an exercise to collate the names of all major towns throughout the country to commence the posting of the health personnel.

She made the announcement during the dissemination of Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) and the launch of maternal and newborn health week celebration, on the theme: “No woman should die giving life: the role of local authorities,” in Accra.

Ms Ayitey said family planning would be added to the package for free maternal health service under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This is going to be in partnership with United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) to ensure that every woman receives family planning.

She said community based health planning services would be provided in the communities, especially in vulnerable localities, to increase geographical access to health care.

Ms Ayitey noted that there are efforts to accelerate the services of the National Ambulance system, which has contributed to some improvement in maternal health.

Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said the launch was to give feedback to promises that were made two years ago on maternal and child health, which have been documented and summarised in the CARMMA Report entitled: “Rising to meet the challenge of reduction of maternal mortality in Ghana.”

The document is being used as an information and accountability tool to monitor progress.

The programme was used to award the former first lady, Dr Ernestina Naadu Mills, for her leading role in creating awareness about maternal and child mortality.

Ghana’s most talented and dynamic poet, Rhyme Sonny recited a poem that sketched the portrait of Dr Naadu Mills and Mr Bernard Coqueline, UNFPA Representative, for their role in promoting maternal and child mortality, to the admiration of the audience..

Mr Coqueline said CARMMA was initiated by the African Union aimed at curbing the continent’s high pregnancy-related death.