Kumasi: The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has called on religious leaders, traditional authorities, and other key stakeholders to support the upcoming Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which begins nationwide on October 7. Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, emphasized the critical role of these groups in ensuring a successful rollout, highlighting their influence and trust within their communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Adomako-Boateng stated, “Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in Ghana, robbing families of mothers, sisters, daughters, and colleagues every year.” He further explained that introducing the HPV vaccine presents a unique opportunity to protect young girls before they are exposed to the virus.
The nationwide exercise will focus on girls aged nine to 14 years as part of Ghana’s routine vaccination schedule. Its goal is to protect them from cervical cancer, which impacts more than 3,000 women in Ghana annually, with over 2,000 succumbing to the disease. The stakeholder engagement in Kumasi included representatives from the clergy, Muslim leaders, traditional rulers, and various government and educational bodies, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Dr Adomako-Boateng highlighted that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) scheduled the vaccination campaign to promote a healthy start for young girls and reduce the future burden of cervical cancer. He urged participants to act as connectors between the health system and the public by dispelling myths, sharing accurate information, and facilitating vaccinations in homes, schools, and communities.
He stated, “The vaccination campaign should not be seen as just a health exercise but a national duty to protect the next generation of Ghanaian women.” He also noted that Ghana had already conducted pilot projects to prepare for the national rollout and expressed optimism for the success of the initiative with strong collaboration.
Madam Charity Nikoi, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist at UNICEF Ghana, also underscored the importance of partnership and community support for the campaign’s success. She emphasized the necessity of early diagnosis and prevention, as late detection of cervical cancer often leads to high mortality. She appealed to community leaders to promote and actively participate in the campaign, highlighting UNICEF’s commitment to protecting children and future generations.