Global reactions as Ghana receives historic COVAX consignment

Ghana’s receipt today, February 24, 2021, of a coronavirus vaccine consignment has been hailed across the continent and beyond.

Not because it is the first African country to receive vaccines but because it is the first under the WHO-led COVAX facility.

An Emirates flight touched down at the Kotoka International Airport, this morning with the consignment and was received by a high-powered government delegation led by Health Minister-designate, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.

He was joined by other multilateral partners including the European Union, EU, and World Health Organization, WHO, officials among others.

On social media, most partners of the COVAX alliance are celebrating the successful delivery of the 600,000 AstraZeneca doses as an important first step towards serving other African countries with much needed doses.

"Today is the culmination of many months of planning, research, negotiation & coordination. But it's just the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do to realize our shared vision for #VaccinEquity by starting vaccination in all countries within the first 100 days of the year," WHO boss Tedros Ghebreyesus said.

We pool together some social media reactions celebrating the historic feat:

At last!

This morning the first doses of #COVID19 vaccines shipped by the COVAX facility arrived in #Ghana. Congratulations to all partners including @gavi, @CEPIvaccines & @UNICEF. A day to celebrate, but it's just the first step. 45 days left for #VaccinEquity https://t.co/3TjuJiMzj0

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 24, 2021

Hope is here!

The first #COVAX shipment has just arrived in #Ghana ????????! @UNICEF is so proud to make this historic shipment happen today, along with partners @WHO @Gavi @CEPI. The first of many COVAX deliveries... bringing us closer to equitable access for all countries. pic.twitter.com/rZ7By4evgc

— Eva Kadilli (@EvaUNICEF) February 24, 2021

????????????Great news for #Ghana as the first 600,000 #COVAX vaccines arrive in #Africa! The EIB is pleased to join #TeamEurope in supporting global cooperation to ensure global equitable access to #COVID19 vaccines, as part of our broader pandemic response https://t.co/vktDpIDKJF pic.twitter.com/rYKS3ViniG

— European Investment Bank (@EIB) February 24, 2021

We’re very proud to announce that 600,000 doses of #COVAX vaccines, the first to be shipped and delivered, have now arrived in Ghana. This is a truly momentous day, and a major milestone reached for a global solution to this global pandemic: https://t.co/hFV3zscT80 pic.twitter.com/pK8qaxX17E

— Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (@gavi) February 24, 2021

We will ensure that all persons get vaccinated in a risk-based approach no matter who they are and where they are in the spirit of #UniversalHealthCoverage - Dr Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ghana pic.twitter.com/DHV3XW2GAe

— WHO Ghana (@WHOGhana) February 24, 2021

Today, #Ghana???????? is the first country in #Africa to receive #COVID19 vaccines as part of #COVAX. A historic milestone & a testament to what can be achieved when we come together for a common cause.

Global solidarity & cooperation are essential in times of crisis. https://t.co/7BTcOiMQ59

— Dr Matshidiso Moeti (@MoetiTshidi) February 24, 2021

This morning marked a "landmark moment" in the global vaccination rollout, with the first #COVAX doses arriving in Ghana ????????????

"Let us celebrate this as a moment of global solidarity in the struggle against the pandemic" - ????CEPI CEO, Richard Hatchett ?https://t.co/xfuI2ApDu7

— CEPI (@CEPIvaccines) February 24, 2021

This morning, #Ghana made history as the first country to receive COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX.

It's the first of many shipments @UNICEF will help deliver with @WHO, @GAVI and @CEPIvaccines. pic.twitter.com/dbHLMO9QHb

— UNICEF (@UNICEF) February 24, 2021

Great news today with COVID-19 vaccines arriving in Ghana and on their way to Côte d’Ivoire! Australia has invested $80m in this @gavi #COVAX program to ensure safe and equitable access to #COVID19 vaccines globally, including in West Africa. #VaccinesWork pic.twitter.com/x3JtlPp3zW

— Gregory Andrews (@AusAmbGHA) February 24, 2021

I'm very moved to see the first #COVAX deliveries arriving in Ghana.

This is a true and historic moment of global solidarity.

Proud of #TeamEurope contribution to universal access to #COVID19 vaccines.

Together, we will overcome the pandemic. https://t.co/5Ob7Ptu0wT

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2021

We witnessed history today! First ever shipment of #COVAX vaccines just landed in #Ghana! #TeamEurope proud to be there as a major donor to the initiative. #together we can defeat #COVID19 @europeaid @eu_eeas pic.twitter.com/rZ852fbUnl

— Diana Acconcia (@DAcconciaEU) February 24, 2021