Ghana has taken a bold and historic step in its fight against cervical cancer with the launch of the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign, a nationwide initiative expected to protect more than 2.4 million girls aged 9 to 14 years from the deadly disease.
The five-day campaign, which began on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, will run simultaneously across all 16 regions of Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward eliminating cervical cancer — one of the leading causes of death among Ghanaian women.
The launch event, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, drew participation from international partners, health professionals, and education stakeholders.
A historic step in women’s health
Launching the campaign, Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the initiative as “a historic step in women’s health” and an integral part of President John Dramani Mahama’s Free Primary Health Care Initiative, which prioritises prevention and equitable access to essential healthcare services.
“Each year, Ghana records nearly 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer and loses about 2,000 women. Today, we have a chance to change this story with one powerful solution — the HPV vaccine,” Mr. Akandoh declared to loud applause.
He emphasised that the introduction of the vaccine marks a new chapter in women’s health in Ghana, giving every young girl the opportunity to live free from one of the most preventable cancers.
The Minister explained that Ghana is deploying Gardasil 4, a vaccine approved by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and globally recognised for its safety and effectiveness.
“The vaccine is free, safe, and available nationwide,” Mr. Akandoh said. “It will be administered mainly through schools and community outreach programs to ensure every eligible girl is covered, no matter where she lives.”
Reassurance to parents and guardians
Addressing concerns about vaccine safety, the Health Minister gave a strong reassurance to parents and guardians, urging them to embrace the campaign and ensure their daughters are vaccinated.
“Let me assure every parent that this vaccine is not part of any conspiracy, as some have falsely claimed. It is a scientifically tested, globally approved vaccine that protects young girls from cervical cancer,” he said.
Mr. Akandoh further noted that the nationwide rollout builds on the success of earlier pilot programmes and will be integrated into Ghana’s routine immunisation schedule after the campaign concludes.
He expressed deep appreciation to Ghana’s development partners, including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, USAID, CDC, PATH, and the country’s dedicated health workers and media practitioners, for their continued collaboration in promoting public health and making the campaign possible.
A victory for equity and prevention
In a message delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea underscored the campaign’s importance in promoting equity in healthcare access.
“For over a decade, only those who could afford the HPV vaccine could get it. Today, it is free and available to every eligible girl,” Prof. Akoriyea stated. “This is a victory for equity and prevention.”
He emphasised that the HPV vaccination campaign represents a transformative effort to close the gap between rural and urban health access, ensuring that every girl, regardless of background or location, has the same opportunity to live free from the threat of cervical cancer.
Prof. Akoriyea urged parents, schools, and community leaders to work hand in hand with health authorities to achieve the campaign’s ambitious target, describing collective participation as the key to success.
A defining moment for Ghana
Chairing the event, Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi, former Rector of the Koforidua Technical University and a strong advocate for girls’ education and empowerment, called the campaign “a defining moment in Ghana’s commitment to safeguard the health and future of girls.”
“By protecting our girls today, we are securing the health, productivity, and prosperity of our nation tomorrow,” she said. “Every vaccinated girl is a step closer to ending cervical cancer in Ghana.”
Prof. Dzisi commended the government’s bold leadership and called for sustained public education to dispel myths and misinformation about vaccines.
She appealed to community leaders and teachers to play an active role in ensuring that all eligible girls receive the vaccine during the five-day campaign.
Partners commended for support
Minister Akandoh extended the government’s gratitude to Ghana’s development partners and frontline health workers for their unrelenting support.
“Our success today is the result of shared commitment — from our international partners to the nurses in our communities, to the teachers and parents who stand as pillars of trust,” he said.
He added that the campaign’s implementation demonstrates Ghana’s readiness to integrate preventive healthcare into the broader Free Primary Health Care framework, ensuring that diseases are addressed before they become life-threatening.
Nationwide rollout continues until Sunday
The National HPV Vaccination Campaign will continue until Sunday, October 11, 2025, during which vaccination teams will operate across schools, clinics, and community centres nationwide.
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service are urging all parents and guardians to ensure that their daughters aged 9 to 14 years receive the free HPV vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer.
As Ghana joins the ranks of countries taking bold action to prevent cervical cancer, the Health Ministry says the vision is clear — a future where no Ghanaian woman dies from a preventable disease.
“We are writing a new story for Ghanaian women,” Minister Akandoh said. “A story of prevention, protection, and hope.”
