Ghana Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Campaign to Protect Girls
Ghana has officially launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign to protect girls aged 9 to 14 years from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of Cervical Cancer. The campaign which is targeting 2.4 million beneficiaries across the country, marks a historic milestone in the country’s efforts to eliminate one of the most preventable but deadly cancers affecting women and girls.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, who led the launch of the campaign, described the initiative as a milestone in equitable healthcare delivery, in line with the President’s vision of free primary healthcare. He added that the vaccine, which has always been in available in the country, but at a high cost, is now free and accessible to all girls from 9-14years. He noted that the vaccine will offer strong protection when given before any exposure to HPV. He noted that the HPV vaccine would now be part of Ghana’s routine immunization schedule and called on all citizens to support the initiative, stressing the importance of national unity in this health intervention.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, The Director of the Public Health Division of the Service, reiterated the importance of the campaign, explaining that it is a promise to every girl in Ghana that her life and future mattered. Dr. Asiedu -Bekoe stated that the vaccination effort aims to protect the dreams of girls that could otherwise be threatened by cervical cancer.
In a related speech, Prof. Smile Dzisi, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, who chaired the event, described the campaign as a defining moment in our collective effort to safeguard the health and future of girls. She urged parents and guardians to support their daughters to get vaccinated and encouraged the media to lead the charge.
The launch brought together partners from civil society, faith-based and community organizations, united by a shared goal to protect Ghana’s girls today for a healthier and stronger generation tomorrow.
Also present at the event was the Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu Dankwa who demonstrated leadership by consenting to take the vaccine to demonstrate it's safety for our girls.