NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF GHANA SSABOTAGES RENEF FOUNDATION ON THEIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST MATERNAL AND CHILD MORTALITY
The Reproductive Needs & Fitness Foundation (RENEF Foundation) is a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to promoting public health through diverse educational and advocacy initiatives.
Recent statistics from the Centre for Health Information Management (DHIMS2) show alarming trends in maternal mortality in Ghana. Between 2018 and 2022, the year 2022 recorded the highest rate with 947 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Considering this disturbing data, RENEF launched a dedicated advocacy and education campaign on maternal and child health titled “Improve Maternal and Child Health Care.” This campaign complements RENEF’s existing program against gender-based violence, “Beyond the 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.”
A breakdown of maternal mortality rates over the five-year period is as follows:
- 2022: 947 deaths per 100,000 live births
- 2021: 875 deaths per 100,000 live births
- 2020: 779 deaths per 100,000 live births
- 2019: 838 deaths per 100,000 live births
- 2018: 876 deaths per 100,000 live births
In 2021, RENEF introduced an educative pageantry event known as “Miss Elegance” as part of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife (YONM-2021) celebration. This initiative was rebranded in 2023 to “Miss Nightingale” to serve as a stronger platform to advocate for maternal and child health, and gender-based violence awareness. The campaign focuses on critical areas such as:
- Malnutrition and anaemia
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)
- Maternal and neonatal mortality
To maximize outreach and engagement, RENEF partnered with over 20 nursing and midwifery training institutions, both public and private, leveraging their existing pageantry platforms to spread health education messages. A television program, “Miss Nightingale 2023,” was also produced to raise awareness and educate the public on these pressing health issues.
With due respect, RENEF expresses disappointment upon discovering a recent circular from the Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana, which appears to cast aspersions on the Foundation’s image and purpose due to its involvement with nursing and midwifery institutions.
Contrary to public perception, RENEF did not introduce pageantry within these institutions. Rather, it identified the existing on-campus pageants as a unique opportunity to channel public health education and advocacy in a relatable, youth-driven format.
“To imply that our organization’s involvement is inappropriate or that it undermines the profession is deeply unfortunate. Our intent has always been to push forward educational initiatives and public health promotion with sincerity and collaboration with relevant stakeholders,” RENEF stated.
Over the years, RENEF has collaborated with several organizations to organize entrepreneurship and vocational training for nursing and midwifery students, including:
- KNUST School of Nursing
- Agogo Nursing and Midwifery Training College
- Kumasi Nursing Training College
- Korle-Bu Nursing and Midwifery Training College
These trainings covered skills such as soap-making, hair care product formulation, and smoothie production, aimed at empowering students economically.
Additionally, RENEF has organized sensitization walks and performing arts competitions in tertiary institutions across the Bono Region, raising awareness about gender-based violence and other public health challenges. Most of these projects have been funded internally, with minimal support from corporate Ghana.
To those influenced by the recent circular, RENEF encourages you to independently assess the Miss Nightingale television content, aired every Sunday at 3 PM, and form your own opinion.
RENEF emphasizes that its programs do not, in any way, seek to portray the Nursing and Midwifery Council or any nurse in a negative light.
RENEF Foundation invites all stakeholders—local and international donors, corporate bodies, civil society organizations, and NGOs with shared values—to support its mission. Together, we can confront the challenges of maternal and child health, gender-based violence, and public health education in Ghana.
“Our mission is clear. We will continue to champion initiatives that uplift the health and well-being of women and children, and we call on all who believe in this cause to join us,” the Foundation concluded.
RENEF FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW PHASE OF “IMPROVE MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH CARE” CAMPAIGN (#IMCHC)
Targeting Infants and Families Affected by Maternal Mortality
In response to the rising cases of maternal deaths in Ghana between 2018 and 2022, the RENEF Foundation launched the “Improve Maternal and Child Health Care” (#IMCHC) campaign in June 2023. This initiative, under the broader Miss Nightingale Project, aims to intensify public awareness and advocacy around maternal and child health, with a focus on malnutrition, anemia, hygiene, PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission), and reducing maternal and child mortality.
Over the past two years, the IMCHC campaign has recorded significant success, especially in providing support for babies born to HIV-positive mothers. The campaign is structured to run for five years (2023–2028), with a dedicated goal of strengthening maternal and child health care services and contributing to the reduction of Ghana’s alarming maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
As part of this new chapter, RENEF Foundation is extending its support to infants and families affected by maternal deaths, by distributing nutritional and mother care products for babies aged 0 to 2 years.
This initiative will be made possible through partnerships with cooperative companies, support services, and contributions from public donors.
Together, we can save lives and build healthier futures for mothers and children across Ghana.
#IMCHC #RENEFFoundation #MaternalHealth #ChildSurvival
RENEF FOUNDATION CALLS FOR IMPROVED RESPONSE TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN BONO REGION
In a statement issued in Sunyani, the Reproductive Needs & Fitness (RENEF) Foundation has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation encountered during its daily engagements at hospital facilities across the Sunyani Municipality and the Bono Region. The Foundation, known for its commitment to reproductive health and rights, highlighted a disturbing increase in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) incidents, prompting urgent advocacy and intervention efforts.
The statement, jointly signed by Abigail Antwi-Baafi (Co-Founder and Executive Member), Gabriel Kwarfo (Financial Secretary), and Irene Bonsing (Public Relations Officer), emphasized the Foundation’s active role in identifying and supporting victims of sexual violence. Despite reporting and following up on numerous cases, RENEF noted with concern the perceived lack of reactiveness by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in addressing such reports effectively.
As part of its response, RENEF launched a new initiative titled “Beyond 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”. This campaign was informed by multiple complaints received from victims who expressed dissatisfaction with how their cases were handled by DOVVSU, especially within the Sunyani Regional Office.
Copies of the statement were submitted to key stakeholders including the Bono Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, the Department of Gender, the Department of Social Welfare, and the Department of Children.
The Foundation recounted several disturbing cases:
- In one instance, a 32-year-old woman reported that her 13-year-old daughter was being persistently defiled by her partner, who was simultaneously engaged in a sexual relationship with both mother and child. The woman also suffered repeated physical assaults resulting in hospitalization whenever she refused his advances. Despite reporting the case to DOVVSU, the perpetrator reportedly continues to walk free in the community. RENEF intervened by securing accommodation for the survivor and her children after recognizing the need for her to gain independence. However, the perpetrator, identified as Kwasi Mudo, threatened to prevent her from moving into the new apartment with her children.
- Another alarming case involved a 13-year-old girl (name withheld) who was discovered to be eight months pregnant—without the knowledge of her family. The case was referred by the Ghana Education Service to RENEF, which promptly facilitated medical care and antenatal services. The case was reported to the Regional DOVVSU, and RENEF supported the victim in completing police procedures, including signing the medical report at no cost. Although the suspect was initially arrested through RENEF’s intervention, he later escaped custody, and no further updates have been provided.
In view of these incidents, RENEF Foundation is petitioning the Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare and the National DOVVSU Coordinator to urgently investigate the operations of the DOVVSU unit at the Sunyani Regional Police Office. The Foundation urges leadership to ensure professionalism, accountability, and commitment in handling cases of gender-based violence.
“Sexual and domestic violence can only be brought under control if victims who find the courage to report receive justice,” the statement reads. “As an NGO, our capacity is limited to providing support and advocacy, but the law mandates the prosecution of perpetrators—a responsibility we trust your esteemed offices uphold.”
“We humbly request your intervention – not only for the RENEF Foundation but especially for the victims and their families. Sunyani deserves a dedicated, honest, and compassionate team at DOVVSU. Only through strong and collaborative efforts can we achieve real progress in addressing gender-based violence in our communities.”
Improve Maternal & Child Health care (#IMCHC campaign); avoiding preventable maternal and neonatal deaths NOT EXCLUDING PMTCT for HIV MOTHERS
Statistics from Centre for health information management (DHIMS2) reals that, over the past five years (2018 to 2022), the year 2022 recorded the highest maternal mortality cases in Ghana. Data indicates a total maternal deaths of 876 in 2018, 838 in 2019, and 779 in 2020, 875 in 2021 and a peak record of 947 maternal deaths in 2022 PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS . These numbers are quiet disturbing and needs urgent address.
Issues of neonatal morality in Ghana are no exception since the past five years (2018 to 2022) have recorded not less than 5000 neonatal deaths each year.
It is in this regard, RENEF Foundation has launched a new campaign in 2023 , dubbed “Improve maternal and Child Health Care (#IMCHC campaign)” as a part of the Miss Nightingale initiative to intensify sensitization on maternal and child health care delivery with focus on malnutrition /anemia ,hygiene , PMTCT and maternal and child mortality.
RENEF Foundation in the next 5 years (2023 -2028) is poised to do their best in support of maternal and child health care delivery services in Ghana to bring the alarming cases of maternal and neonatal mortality under control. This we hope to achieve through our diversified health education and promotional approaches and rendering of support services within our means to both care providers and clients (mother and child).
RENEF LAUNCHES THE “RE-IGNITING THE KNOW YOUR STATUS CAMPAIGN ON HIV” & THE “FREE KIDNEY SCREENING FOR 50,000 GHANAIANS PROJECT”
Ghana is currently experiencing a troubling rise in kidney diseases, largely linked to substance abuse, alcoholism, sedentary lifestyles, and risky sexual behaviours—issues that disproportionately affect the youth. In response, the RENEF Foundation, in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), has launched a nationwide initiative to provide free medical screenings for at least 50,000 Ghanaians starting in January 2024. This campaign aims to raise awareness about kidney health and enable early detection to save lives. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 3—Good Health and Well-being—RENEF is also reviving the “Know Your HIV Status” campaign. The project, titled “Reigniting the Know Your Status Campaign on HIV,” seeks to combat stigma, promote open dialogue, and encourage voluntary HIV self-testing and counselling, especially among the youth. Through these efforts, RENEF is addressing critical public health challenges while promoting preventive healthcare and personal responsibility.
