By Samira Larbie
Accra, June 23, GNA – To ensure the successful introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in basic schools, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has held a stakeholder engagement with key partners in the education sector.
The meeting forms part of the campaign launch towards the nationwide rollout in September 2025, to help prevent cervical cancer among girls aged nine to 14.
Following the campaign, the vaccine would be integrated into Ghana’s routine immunisation schedule under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and offer free of charge to girls turning nine years.
Cervical cancer, caused primarily by HPV infection, is the leading cancer among women in Ghana.
Every year, it is estimated that 3,038 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 2,006 die from the disease, which is the most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.
The introduction of the HPV vaccines is a significant step towards reducing the number of women affected by the disease.
It is estimated to prevent about 70 per cent of cervical cancer, 80 per cent of anal cancer, 60 per cent of vaginal cancer, 40 per cent of vulvar cancer, and more than 90 per cent effectiveness in preventing HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers.
It additionally prevents genital warts, also known as anogenital warts, and protects against penile cancer.
The World Health Organisation’s primary purpose of HPV immunisation is the prevention of cervical cancer, which accounts for 82 per cent of all HPV-related cancers, and more than 95 per cent of which are caused by HPV.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director-General of the GHS, while assuring the public of the vaccines’ safety, called for collective support to protect the health of Ghanaian girls.
He noted that Ghana first introduced the HPV vaccine in 2013 in the Greater Accra, Central, and Northern regions, with careful monitoring for any side effects.
“After 12 years of successful implementation in these areas, the country is now ready to expand nationwide rollout to protect the next generation of women,” Prof Akoriyea said.
“The one-dose full protection HPV vaccine is safe and well-tolerated. Our Food and Drugs Authority has done its due diligence, and today, Ghana joins 144 WHO member states in implementing this bold step to safeguard our girls.”
He noted that the intervention was being provided by the Government at no cost to the recipients and would be available as part of Ghana’s routine national immunisation programme.
Dr Manuel Dewez, the UNICEF Ghana’s Chief of Health and Nutrition, confirmed receipt of the first HPV vaccine consignment, affirming the country’s readiness with an additional 2.5 million doses expected in the coming months.
He, however, called for sustained financing, especially as donor support from GAVI comes to an end, and a cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Dr Nazir Tanko Mohammed, Deputy Programme Manager, reiterated the pattern of the vaccination exercise, which would follow a single-dose regimen and be administered through school-based and community outreach strategies.
The exercise followed the successful global evidence and was targeted to reach approximately 2.5 million girls nationwide, he said.
Mrs Theresa Oppong-Mensah, National Coordinator, Ghana Education Service, School Health Education Programme, speaking on the role of the education sector towards the successful HPV vaccine delivery, outlined several activities to embark on.
These include orientation of all stakeholders in the education sector, engagement with parents and caregivers, communication on the vaccination exercise, as well as sensitisation of the target group.
Mrs Oppong-Mensah called for the support of all educators, health workers, caregivers, and the media to support the campaign through sensitisation to ensure eligible girls got vaccinated.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe