By: Francis Abedi
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Ghana Education Service (GES) have met in Kumasi to discuss the upcoming nationwide HPV vaccination campaign. The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to prepare for the launch in September, which aims to vaccinate girls aged 9 to 14 to prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana. Each year, the country records more than 2,800 new cases. Despite being one of the most easily preventable forms of female cancers, efforts towards cervical cancer control are hindered by limited awareness of the disease, risk factors, poor access to preventive services, including vaccination, and the affordability of these services.
To address this, Ghana has joined over 140 countries in introducing the HPV vaccine to protect young girls and women from cervical cancer. The vaccine will be added to the country’s routine national immunization programme and provided free of charge to girls aged 9 to 14.
Ghana first introduced the HPV vaccine in 2013 through a pilot programme in the Greater Accra, Central, and Northern regions. After 12 years of implementation in those areas, the GHS believes the country is now ready to extend it across all regions.
To ensure a successful national rollout, the Service held a stakeholder engagement in Kumasi with representatives from the WHO and GES. The WHO Representative in Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, emphasized that by protecting young girls and women, Ghana is taking a significant step towards reducing the burden of cervical cancer and improving women’s health.
“Let me congratulate Ghana for joining over 140 countries in introducing the vaccine. This initiative is a step in the right direction towards eliminating cervical cancer among our women,” she stated.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, described the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunization programme as a significant step.
“This is a great move for us. By collaborating with the GES, we believe we will be able to reach adolescent girls aged 9 to 14 and administer the vaccines,” he said.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. Williams Amankrah Appiah Kubi, said the GES would collaborate to demystify the HPV vaccine and ensure high participation.
