The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially unveiled the National HPV Vaccination Campaign, a significant stride in Ghana’s effort to curb cervical cancer, one of the country’s leading causes of death among women.
The five-day nationwide exercise across all 16 regions targets 2.4 million girls aged 9 to 14, aiming to protect them from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the major cause of cervical cancer.
At the launch, Akandoh called the initiative “a historic step in women’s health” and a crucial component of President John Dramani Mahama’s Free Primary Health Care initiative, which prioritizes prevention and fair access to vital healthcare services.
“Each year, Ghana records nearly 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer and loses about 2,000 women. Today, we have a chance to change this story with one powerful solution, the HPV vaccine,” Hon. Akandoh stated.
He revealed that Ghana is introducing the Gardasil 4 vaccine, which has received approval from both the WHO and the U.S. FDA, and is globally recognized as safe and effective. The free vaccine will be administered mainly through schools and community outreach programs to reach every eligible girl.
The Minister assured parents that the vaccine poses no danger and is not tied to any conspiracy, urging them to ensure their daughters get vaccinated. He added that Ghana’s campaign expands on previous pilot projects and will later become part of the country’s routine immunization schedule.
In a message delivered on his behalf, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said the campaign represents a major step toward health equity.
“For over a decade, only those who could afford the HPV vaccine could get it. Today, it is free and available to every eligible girl. This is a victory for equity and prevention,” he stated.
Chairing the launch, Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi hailed the effort as “a defining moment in Ghana’s commitment to safeguard the health and future of girls.”
The Minister expressed appreciation to partners such as WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, USAID, CDC, PATH, health workers, and the media for their invaluable contributions.
The campaign runs until Sunday, October 11, and the Ministry of Health is calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their daughters between the ages of 9 and 14 receive the vaccine.
By Bawa Musah
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