Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Kwanwoma, has underlined the need for Ghana to step up reproductive health education.
He said although Ghana had made giant strides towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals on health, incidence of maternal deaths, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections remained high.
The MP said the current maternal mortality rate, estimated at 451 per 100, 000 live births could be significantly improved through intensive education and the availability of health personnel and facilities.
Dr Appiah-Kubi made this known when he cut the sod for the commencement of works on a health centre at Adum Kwanwoma near Kumasi.
The community is undertaking the project with support from the European Union and the Government.
The MP said it was time programmes on safe motherhood and preventive health, were given prominence.
Nana Kofi Agyei IV, Chief of Adum Kwanwoma said the town needed more social amenities to keep pace with the fast growth of the community.
Adum Kwanwoma and about eight catchment areas rely on the Asafo Agyei Hospital, a private facility for their health needs.
The chief appealed to citizens of the town resident abroad to support the implementation of projects designed to make life comfortable for their kith and kin.