Building on the success of the Mother and Baby (M&B) Programme across sub-Saharan Africa, “Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and most recently Kenya” and growing interest from Ghana and other countries in the EMEA region, St John International is exploring opportunities to expand this impactful initiative. The M&B model has demonstrated strong results in improving maternal and child health outcomes through community engagement, volunteer mobilisation, and partnership with local health systems.
In this regard, Sylvia Chopamba, St John International Programme Manager, visited Ghana in October to support the design and preparation of a potential Mother and Baby (M&B) Programme. Building on initial scoping by the St John Ghana team and engagement with local stakeholders, the visit focused on strengthening stakeholder buy-in, shaping the programme framework, and assessing capacity requirements for successful implementation. Lessons learned from other M&B countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, informed the discussions.
Strong Engagement and Momentum
The engagement from the St John Ghana team and local health facilities was overwhelmingly positive, with strong momentum building around the potential programme launch. Meetings with key stakeholders, including Queen Mothers, hospital management, and local chiefs, highlighted the community’s interest and support for initiatives addressing maternal and neonatal health.
Project Design and Strategic Alignment
A key session with Tony, CEO of St John Ghana, reviewed the proposed M&B programme as a community-focused initiative that strengthens health systems for mothers and babies. The programme aligns with St John International’s mission to lead in first aid and community healthcare, and supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – reducing maternal and newborn mortality and improving access to healthcare.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – empowering women and improving maternal health decision-making.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – strengthening collaboration with communities, health authorities, and partners.
The team discussed integrating the Three Delays Model into programme design, with initial focus on Delays 1 and 2 — decision-making to seek care and accessing care — identified as priority areas in Ghana. A pilot phase is being considered for mid-next year, with plans to build local capacity through exchange visits to experienced M&B countries.
Stakeholder Engagement in Jamestown
A formal meeting was held with Queen Mother Naa Amorkor Sikafutru I at her residence in Jamestown. As with all St John projects, engaging traditional leaders early in the design phase is crucial, as they serve as community gatekeepers and influence participation and acceptance.
The Queen Mother expressed strong support for the programme and highlighted challenges such as cultural beliefs delaying healthcare seeking, limited community support for early decision-making, and high teenage pregnancy rates. She offered to mobilise her community for active participation, reinforcing the critical role of local leadership in programme success.
Health Facility Visits
Visits to Ussher Referral Hospital and Jamestown Maternity Hospital reinforced the programme’s potential impact. While facilities are relatively well-equipped, community uptake of maternal services remains low, with delayed care-seeking a significant barrier. Hospital staff welcomed the M&B approach, which leverages trained community volunteers to bridge trust gaps and promote early care-seeking.
Community and Health Sector Mapping
Jamestown, a densely populated area with underutilised government health centres, was mapped for key stakeholders, including community-based, faith-based, and civil society organisations. This process aims to identify potential partners and understand local influence networks, drawing on lessons from other M&B countries where partnerships and local ownership were central to success.
Next Steps
Key action points from the visit include:
- St John Ghana to confirm strategic alignment and identify a Programme Lead to coordinate stakeholder engagement and lead concept note development.
- Ongoing design support from St John International through bi-monthly technical meetings.
- Continued feasibility and needs assessment, community mapping, and engagement with local health authorities and leaders.
The positive engagement observed during this visit indicate that the M&B Programme in Ghana has the potential to make a meaningful impact on maternal and child health. Careful planning, strong local partnerships, and community-driven implementation will form the foundation for the programme’s success.
