At least 27 pregnant women in the Bawku municipality tragically lost their lives between 2021 and 2022 due to their inability to access essential medical care, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The shocking figure was revealed by Majeed Sulemana, a senior health officer at the Upper East Regional Directorate of the GHS, who linked the maternal deaths directly to the ongoing violent conflict in the area. The Bawku conflict, rooted in ethnic tensions between the Mamprusi and Kusasi groups, has repeatedly disrupted access to healthcare and other essential services.

“Twenty women died in 2021, and seven more passed away by the end of December 2022,” Mr. Sulemana told the Daily Graphic.
“These deaths were due to the inability of pregnant women to access Bawku Presbyterian Hospital — the municipality’s only major referral facility.”

The hospital typically serves not only Bawku but also neighboring districts like Pusiga, Garu, Tempane, and Binduri, which lack their own district hospitals. This places tremendous pressure on the facility, especially in the face of reduced staff availability and safety concerns.

“Some women died while trying to reach the hospital, others died due to delays in receiving care because of staff shortages. Many health workers fear for their safety and remain indoors, which disrupts the hospital’s operations,” Sulemana explained.

The 27 maternal deaths account for 39% of all maternal deaths (70) recorded in the entire Upper East Region during the two-year period.

In addition to the healthcare crisis, the conflict continues to claim civilian lives. Reports indicate that ten people were killed in a recent flare-up, with military personnel deployed to maintain peace being accused of human rights violations.

Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, issued a statement accusing soldiers of killing seven civilians on February 1, 2023, claiming that troops opened fire on innocent residents amid reports of gunfire in the town.

“The soldiers fired indiscriminately into a crowd of unarmed civilians who were fleeing for safety,” the MP alleged.

These developments underscore the urgent need for peace and stability in Bawku, not only to save lives directly affected by violence but also to restore critical services such as maternal healthcare.