Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign to eliminate cervical cancer. The program, part of President Mahama’s Free Primary Health Care initiative, began on October 8. It aims to vaccinate 2.4 million girls aged 9 to 14 across all 16 regions within five days.
The free Gardasil 4 vaccine, approved by WHO and FDA, will be given mainly in schools and communities. Mr. Akandoh said the campaign could prevent thousands of cervical cancer deaths each year. He assured parents that the vaccine is safe and will become part of routine immunizations.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea called it a major step toward healthcare equality. The Health Minister thanked WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, USAID, and other partners for supporting the initiative.
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