GRID and NEA

Sustainable Development in Ghana

Leyaata

Eunice & Nasara

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In 2011, Emmanuel (NEA driver) and his wife Eunice, were excitedly awaiting the arrival of a newborn. When labour set in, Eunice went to the nearest clinic for care, but they lost the baby. We grieved with them. Out of this sorrow came a new realization that this was happening far too often in this area. We discovered that the published national neonatal mortality rate was 40/1000 – closer to 45/1000 in the Northern Region. As a result of this loss came the desire to stop others from facing this tragedy and the Leyaata Project (Rescue Us) was born.

On April 26, 2020, Emmanuel and Eunice brought their new daughter, Nasara, to church to be dedicated to the Lord. Eunice shared that this delivery was also complicated, and she was rushed to the nearest hospital due to complications. After delivery, their baby was whisked away as she was not breathing. But through the Leyaata Program, the hospital midwives had been trained in neonatal resuscitation and they had the tools to help this baby breathe.

Prosper (Leyaata Leader), Emmanuel with daughter Catherine in front, Eunice holding baby Nasara, and Mumuni (Leyaata Leader).

Nasara is a beautiful little girl. Seeing her in her parents’ arms with proud smiles on their faces, was such a powerful reminder that she is just one of the nearly 3,000 little ones, who have been rescued over the past four years – and of the sorrow that has been averted.

Susu Stories: Yelesambu’s Joy

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The Leyaata Ane Project is saving the lives of mothers and newborns at birth in 160 communities in Northern Ghana. As part of this project, women receive “susu” (savings) boxes and training to help them prepare for a safe childbirth.

Yelesambu with her baby girl.

Yelesambu recently had a baby girl at her local health facility. She prepared for a safe childbirth by attending antenatal health care regularly.

She also received visits from her community health volunteer, who has been trained as part of the Leyaata Ane project. The health volunteer gave her a list of items that she would need to have for a facility delivery, which would cost about $60. Through the Leyaata Ane project, Yelesambu also received a susu box with about a $4 savings starter, and was taught how to save more so that she could be prepared.

Yelesambu had smiles all over her face when she talked about saving for this birth:

I was able to save 400 cedis. My contribution was not consistent; my savings depended on my sales for the day. The susu box made a great difference compared to my previous deliveries. If I didn’t have the susu box savings, I would not have been able to buy a lot of the things that I wanted. If I have another baby, I will save again and again.

Susu Stories: Judith’s Savings

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The Leyaata Ane Project is saving the lives of mothers and newborns at birth in 160 communities in Northern Ghana. As part of this project, women receive “susu” (savings) boxes and training to help them prepare for a safe childbirth.


Judith chose a safe childbirth at a nearby facility for the recent birth of her baby boy.

About four months before the baby arrived, her husband was in an accident and was unable to be at home with her. Despite the unexpected loss of support, she felt she was well-prepared for this birth:

I used the susu box. I contributed on hundred and twenty cedis. The susu box helped me purchase more items as compared to my first delivery. I bought powder, six bars of soap, and pegs to dry the baby’s clothes. If I were to have another baby, I would contribute even more into the susu box so that I could also buy a bed for my baby.

The susu box (to the right of the items) is given to women along with a small savings starter of 10 cedis (about $4). Women are also given a list of about items (about $60 total) that they will need have with them when they give birth at a facility. Then they are encouraged to save to prepare for birth. Judith’s savings allowed her to purchase all of the items pictured here.

Stories of Rescue: Edith’s Story

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The Leyaata Ane Project is saving the lives of mothers and newborns at birth in 160 communities in Northern Ghana. “Leyaata” means “Rescue Us” in Mo.

Edith Maud is a health worker who has been trained to resuscitate babies at birth.

In April 2016, volunteers Dr. Jennifer Wilson and Dr. Carlye Jensen from Uxbridge traveled to Ghana to train 53 health workers in the techniques of infant resuscitation. Once the health workers were certified, they were given the low-tech equipment needed to resuscitate babies on their own.

Edith-Maud, a nurse in a small health facility, successfully completed the training in April. Soon after the training, an adolescent mother who had lost her husband three months prior, arrived at Edith’s compound to give birth.

When the baby was born, Edith recognized that he was not breathing and was very weak. She used the various steps she had learned in training to clear his airways and stimulate him. When he did not respond, she used the ventilation mask that had been supplied as part of the training. Eventually the baby started to breathe and was able to snuggle with his mother.

Edith joyfully shared, “Without this training, I would not have been able to save this baby. I am now very confident on the job. Thank you!”

This baby survived because of Edith’s new skills and simple equipment.

This story also appeared in our September 2016 Newsletter.