A ten-member Friends of UNFPA delegation from the United States is in the country to acquaint itself with issues confronting women and families and how UNFPA responses support them.
Friends of UNFPA is a US based non-profit organization that advances UNFPA's global effort by mobilizing funds and action for life saving work by the Fund. The visit to Ghana forms part of the organisation's annual visit to field offices.
The delegation, which arrived in the country on October 13th, will spend seven working days and will be visiting selected health facilities in Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East and the Central Regions supported under the UNFPA's fifth Country Programme (2006-2011).
The visiting team paid a courtesy call on the former First Lady, Dr Ernestina Naadu Mills in her office, and commended her courage in championing the course of reducing maternal mortality in Ghana.
Ms Peggy Godwin, leader of the delegation said they had acknowledged the hard work of the former First Lady and urged her on to continue with her dream.
Dr Naadu Mills, in 2010, embarked on a campaign of the nation in the Upper East Regional capital Bolgatanga, to vigorously fight maternal mortality across all corners of the country.
The campaign dubbed 'Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA)' focused on harnessing all resources possible to end the unfortunate manner women in developing countries particularly Ghana, lost their lives during child birth, as well as increase the awareness on the need for the adoption of anti-natal, delivery and post-natal care by professionals.
The former First lady expressed worry about the fact that most maternal mortality cases recorded were in the very deprived and remote parts of the country.
She said it was unacceptable for any woman to meet her untimely death in the process of giving birth to another life, adding, "the maternal mortality rate is too high and we need to work harder to reduce it in order to meet the MDG 5 by 2015".
She expressed worry about the frequent strikes embarked on by medical doctors, which sometimes resulted in pregnant women dying and called on all and sundry to assist in diverse ways to make the dream of reducing maternal deaths a reality.
Dr Bernard Coquelin, UNFPA Representative to Ghana commended the former First Lady for her commitment exhibited and said, "The positive impact and results are there for all".
The delegation and the former First Lady exchanged gifts.
The delegation earlier in the day held a meeting with staff of the UNFPA, Ghana, where they were briefed by the staff on the various areas where UNFPA has offered assistance both financial and technical in key programme interventions.
Some of the areas that UNFPA offers assistance include maternal health, adolescent and youth, Gender and Reproductive Rights, Humanitarian assistance, data for Development & Population Dynamics.