By: Rachel Kakraba
Some religious leaders have pledged their commitment to supporting the nationwide Human Papillomavirus, HPV, vaccination campaign, which is set to begin this month targeting girls between the ages of 9 and 14. They assured of their cooperation in sensitizing their congregations about the importance of the vaccine.
This marks a significant step in tackling vaccine hesitancy, particularly in religious communities where some members reject life-saving vaccines on faith grounds. They made the commitment at a religious leader’s breakfast meeting in Accra, organized by UNICEF-Ghana, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service.
They pledged to use their pulpits, mosques, and community platforms to educate parents and guardians, ensuring a high turnout for the campaign.
Speaking to GBCNEWS, Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam, Dr. Mohammed Marzuq, said that protecting young girls from HPV, a leading cause of cervical cancer, aligns with a shared responsibility of safeguarding the wellbeing of young girls. He said preventing cervical cancer is not just a medical issue but a moral and community obligation.
”It’s important for all of us to understand that religion, particularly the Islamic religion, emphasizes the sanctity of the human soul and the health of the human body. So anything that is designed to enhance these will have our support”
He added “We should also know that it’s even in line with our religion, because our religion emphasizes the protection of the girl child, the protection of humanity in general, so this should be seen particularly by the Muslim community as an obligation, not an option”
General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, Apostle Immanuel Tettey, said the Council is mapping out a strategy to ensure the vaccine gains acceptance within the Christian community. This he said is because the HPV vaccination has immense benefit to the country.
“It prevents or minimizes the issue of cervical cancer, and so we want to add our voice that all our young ladies should make sure that they participate and it’ll be good for our country”
Country Representative of UNICEF-Ghana, Osama Makkawi Khogali acknowledged Ghana as a giant in protecting the health and well-being of children. He congratulated the country for introducing HPV vaccines to protect girls, and encouraged parents and guardians to avail their girls between 9-14 years to take the vaccines as they are safe.
“The national campaign will start from the 7th to 11th of October, 2025, and we would like this information to reach everybody. We are counting on the moral authority of the religious leaders, and together with the Ghana Health Services, we are seeking to reach every Ghanaian child”
He also rallied support of all to ensure the success of the programme.
“The Ghana Health Services they have worked a lot In preparing for this vaccination, but the campaign can only succeed if the people are aware and they come forward to seek the vaccination, so we are creating the demand from the people and together we are seeking the support of the religious leaders”
The HPV vaccination which is expected to commence from 7th to 11th October, will mark Ghana’s first large-scale effort to provide HPV vaccines free of charge to adolescent girls nationwide.
