On July 4, 2024, the Ghana Countdown to 2030 project collaboration team held a national dissemination workshop to share findings and progress of the work done. Overall, this dissemination highlighted the importance of using data to drive discussions and ensure evidence-based decisions.

The workshop provided a forum for key stakeholders including policymakers, health professionals, and development partners to dialogue on the current status and trends in health indicators related to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH). This was crucial in fostering collaborative efforts to address gaps and enhance healthcare delivery in Ghana.

It was attended by various representatives and Directors from Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health, the Global Financing Facility, the University of Southampton, the academia including the Dean of School of Public Health (SPH) and master students.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Anthony Adofo Ofosu, the Deputy Director General, Ghana Health Service, emphasized the importance of evidence-based decision-making for achieving both global and national health targets.

Other remarks were shared by Prof Kwasi Torpey, Dean School of Public Health – University of Ghana, Dr. Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi – University of Southampton, Mrs. Pearl Opoku Youngman – Global Financing Facility (GFF), Dr. Cheikh Mhacke Faye, Director of African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) – West Africa Regional Office.

The day’s presentations focused on the following:

• Countdown 2030 Ghana overview by Mrs. Maame Esi Amekudzi, a Health Systems Planner at the Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Ghana Health Service
• Trend analysis, causes and sociodemographic distribution of maternal deaths in Ghana: Evidence from maternal death audit report, 2021-2023 delivered by Dr. Seth Kwaku Afagbedzi, Principal Investigator, School of Public Health
• Continuum of Maternal Care in Ghana evidence from 2022 DHS delivered by Dr Chris Fofie, Deputy Director Family Health Division, Ghana Health Service
• Adolescent Contraceptive Uptake in Ghana delivered by Dr. Eric Nsiah-Boateng, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Health.