A woman worker in Ghana is entitled to a minimum of twelve weeks of maternity leave. This is in addition to any annual leave she is eligible for after her period of confinement.

Eligibility for this leave is contingent upon the presentation of a medical certificate by a medical practitioner or a midwife, indicating the expected date of her confinement.

During maternity leave, a woman worker is entitled to her full remuneration and any other benefits she would normally receive.

The maternity leave period can be extended by at least two additional weeks in cases of abnormal confinement or if two or more babies are born during the same confinement.

If a woman worker suffers from an illness related to her pregnancy, as certified by a medical practitioner, she is entitled to additional leave as per the medical practitioner’s certification.

Similarly, if the illness is related to her confinement, she can get an extension of her maternity leave post-confinement as certified by the medical practitioner.

A nursing mother is allowed to interrupt her work for an hour during her working hours to nurse her baby.

Any interruption for the purpose of nursing a baby shall be considered as working hours and compensated accordingly.

Employers are prohibited from dismissing a woman worker due to her absence from work on maternity leave.