In Ghana, gender-based violence remains what many health advocates describe as a โsilent killer.โ Deep-rooted social norms and cultural beliefs often normalize certain forms of abuse, discouraging women from speaking out and making violence against women one of the countryโs most underreported public-health challenges.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, nearly 39 percent of ever-married women have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence from a partner.
The numbers are believed to be even higher in the northern part of the country, where community pressure and fear of stigma keep many cases hidden.
Globally, scientists are increasingly recognizing that violence during pregnancy is not only a social issue but a critical determinant of maternal and newborn health. In this field, Mubarick Nungbaso Asumah, PhD (s), a nurse-scientist from Northern Ghana and doctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, stands out as one of the leading global voices.
His research investigates how intimate-partner violence affects womenโs health-seeking behavior, clinical outcomes, and overall well-being, revealing its far-reaching consequences on both mothers and infants.
This correspondent writes that Mubarick Asumah, ranks among the top five percent of scientists worldwide whose work bridges the gaps between research, policy, and community practice.
His approach is widely recognized for its depth and innovation, combining clinical science, social analysis, and cultural context to shape maternal-health policies across regions.
His contributions demonstrate the kind of expertise and leadership that define global scientific excellence.
Professor Abdulai Abubakari, a global-health policy expert at the University for Development Studies, believes, Mubaricks work is transforming how Ghana and the world understand maternal health,โ
โHe belongs to a very small group of scholars whose insight and leadership are redefining the field globally. His work demonstrates that preventing violence during pregnancy is as lifesaving as providing antenatal careโ
โProtecting women from abuse must be treated as essential healthcare, not just a social concern. What excites me most is his ability to bring the change we have long desiredโto prevent violence against women through evidence-based, culturally grounded action.โ
Before joining the University of Michigan, Asumah had already distinguished himself in Ghana as an innovator in community health.
He led several adolescent-health initiatives that helped reduce school absenteeism among girls in Northern Ghana.
Working with teachers and local partners,he improved menstrual-hygiene education, established peer-support systems, and strengthened school-based health programs.
This record of translating research into measurable community outcomes has become his signature strength. His studies have informed education and health policy, shaped reproductive-health programs, and fostered collaborations among agencies seeking sustainable ways to protect women and girls.
Beyond Africa, Mubarickโs influence extends into international scientific publishing, where he holds editorial and peer-review positions in highly reputable global research outlets.
In these roles, he helps determine which studies enter the worldโs leading journals on womenโs health and equity.
Some Observers note that Asumahโs scholarship is exceptional and catalytic, signaling a wider shift in which African scientists are not only participants but standard-setters in global health research.
Ghana continues to face high maternal-mortality rates and persistent gender-based violence, but Mubarickโs work offers a roadmap for change.
Mubarickโs findings call for violence prevention, psychosocial support, and early detection to be integrated into routine antenatal care. Such reforms, he argues, are essential if Ghana is to reduce preventable maternal deaths and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks good health and well-being for all.
He recommends national coordination that involves male partners, community leaders, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), womenโs-rights organizations, and faith-based institutions. By encouraging collaboration among these groups, his framework offers a comprehensive approach to safeguarding maternal health and advancing social justice.
Mubarick Nungbaso Asumah, PhD(s), has produced research toward advancing Ghanaโs realization of Sustainable Development Goal 3 that is unmatched.
His work illustrates how science guided by empathy, cultural insight, and intellectual excellence can redefine public-health priorities and inspire change worldwide.
As this correspondent observes, Asumahโs philosophy is simple yet powerful: protecting mothers begins long before childbirth. It begins with creating societies where women can live in safety, dignity, and respect.
