By Oforiwa Darko
Denmark’s Minister for Development Cooperation, Flemming Møller Mortensen, has re-echoed the importance of supporting frontline personnel in most parts of the world, especially Africa.
“The entire world will remain exposed to new virus outbreaks until the most vulnerable population groups and health systems are protected,” he added.
“Denmark is committed to vaccine solidarity. Nobody is safe until everyone is safe.”
Mr. Flemming Møller Mortensen also reiterated that, while the decision to allocate almost 2.1 million of the vaccines donated by Denmark to Ghana has been taken by the COVAX facility based on a needs assessment, the Danish Government is pleased to extend support to Ghana’s ongoing vaccination drive.
Denmark is supporting Ghana’s Covid-19 response through a substantial expansion of water points in dense urban settlements in Accra and Kumasi. The project, implemented by UNICEF, also involves activities aimed at improving sanitation, hygiene, health and protection in the targeted communities.
Out of a total number of 7.7 million doses donated by Denmark to the international vaccine facility COVAX, close to 2.1 million have been allocated to Ghana, making Denmark an important supporter of Ghana’s ongoing bid to prevent a fourth wave of Covid-19 through a targeted vaccination drive.
Earlier this year, Denmark doubled its Covid-19 vaccine contribution to developing countries, ensuring that a minimum of one vaccine dose was donated by every Dane. Now, the overall pledge is increased by an additional 3.7 million doses, recognising the importance of vaccines in the fight against the current surge in Covid- 19 infections across the world.
Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, who paid an official visit to Ghana on November 24-25, underscored the importance of global vaccine collaboration in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vaccines distributed by the COVAX facility are allocated in Ghana, according to the strategy determined by the Ghana Health Service. Target groups expected to be vaccinated as part of the December initiative include health workers, security personnel, all staff of tertiary and secondary institutions, all commercial drivers and mates, and government workers.