By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Accra, Feb. 27, GNA – The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) has held a National Immunisation Champions Workshop aimed at strengthening advocacy and promoting equitable access to vaccines across the country.
The workshop, on the theme: “Building Champions, Promoting Advocacy and Protecting Every Child,” brought together health professionals, partners and stakeholders in child health to reinforce the importance of immunisation as a critical public health intervention.
Organised in partnership with the International Paediatric Association (IPA), the workshop formed part of activities under the IPA Advocacy Immunisation Champions and Policy Influence Project, aimed at equipping stakeholders with skills to champion immunisation in their communities.
Dr Hilda Boye, President of PSG, described immunisation as one of the most powerful and cost-effective interventions in public health history, noting that vaccines had prevented millions of deaths and reduced disability globally.
She said although Ghana had made significant progress in coverage, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, funding gaps, inequities in access and fragile health systems continued to threaten the gains made.
Dr Boye recalled recent vaccine shortages and the resurgence of measles in some communities, stressing that every missed child represented a life at risk.
“This workshop is about building champions — professionals who will not only administer vaccines, but defend them, advocate for them and educate communities about their life-saving power,” she said.
She urged participants to extend advocacy beyond hospitals by engaging community leaders, faith-based organisations, schools and the media to ensure that no child, whether in urban or rural areas, was left behind.
Dr Boye acknowledged the support of partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, as well as frontline health workers and volunteers.
She expressed confidence that participants would be equipped with the knowledge, tools and networks needed to champion immunisation advocacy and build trust in vaccines nationwide.
Professor Joseph Haddah, President of the IPA, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to advancing child health in Africa, describing the continent as central to the future of global development.
He said the IPA was dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of “every child, every age and every way,” and had intensified its engagement in Africa over the past few years through workshops and capacity-building programmes.
“We believe that Africa will be the heart of the future and will lead the future, and that is why we are here,” he said.
Prof. Haddah emphasised that building a world fit for children must begin with prevention, identifying immunisation as one of the most effective tools for protecting children against preventable diseases.
He acknowledged existing obstacles to immunisation in parts of Africa but expressed optimism that the workshop would help participants overcome those challenges and strengthen national immunisation programmes.
He reaffirmed the IPA’s readiness to collaborate with PSG and partners across the continent to advance immunisation advocacy and protect every child.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade