By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Accra, Feb. 27, GNA – Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to sustaining and strengthening Ghana’s immunisation programme as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage and improve child survival.
The Minister commended the Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) and the International Paediatric Association (IPA) for initiating the timely advocacy-focused project.
Mr Akandoh said this in a speech read for him by Mrs Evelyn Amoako, Chief Programme Officer at the Ministry of Health, at the National Immunisation Champions Workshop in Accra.
The two-day workshop on the theme: “Building Champions, Promoting Advocacy and Protecting Every Child,” formed part of the IPA Advocacy Immunisation Champions and Policy Influence Project to equip stakeholders with skills to champion immunisation nationwide.
The Minister acknowledged the support of partners, particularly the World Health Organization and UNICEF, as well as the dedication of the Ghana Health Service and its Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
He said immunisation remained one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, with Ghana’s routine immunisation programme ranking among the best-performing in Africa.
According to WHO and UNICEF estimates, coverage for the third dose of the DTP vaccine had increased from the low 90 per cent range in the early 2010s to between 97 and 99 per cent in recent years, while measles coverage had remained high despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These achievements did not happen by chance,” he said, attributing them to strong political will, committed health professionals, effective partnerships, and sustained community engagement.
The Minister noted that Ghana was preparing to transition from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance support by 2030, stressing that sustained national collaboration would be critical to fully financing the immunisation programme.
He acknowledged challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation and inequitable access, citing misconceptions that accompanied the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.
He urged stakeholders to be proactive in countering misinformation, particularly on social media, and to ensure accurate, evidence-based information reached communities.
Mr Akandoh disclosed that the Government was preparing to roll out a Free Primary Healthcare Initiative to remove financial barriers to essential services, prioritising preventive care, maternal and child health, immunisation and basic diagnostics.
He said the initiative aligned with Ghana’s universal health coverage roadmap and reflected a shift from treatment to prevention as a sustainable approach to health delivery.
Dr Frank Lule, Representative of the World Health Organization, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s immunisation efforts amid declining donor funding.
He described Ghana’s immunisation programme as one of the best-performing in the WHO African Region, with coverage for most antigens maintained above 90 per cent, supported by strategies such as Reaching Every Child, Every District.
Dr Lule, however, cautioned that the programme was at a crossroads due to reduced donor support and urged collective action to safeguard sustainable financing, assuring that WHO would continue to provide technical support and advocacy to protect every child.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade