Ghana says 'no' to cervical cancer with free HPV vaccine for girls

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has launched the National HPV Vaccination Campaign, marking a major milestone in Ghana’s fight against cervical cancer one of the leading causes of death among Ghanaian women.

The five-day campaign, which is being conducted across all 16 regions, aims to vaccinate 2.4 million girls aged 9 to 14 years against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.

Speaking at the launch, Akandoh described the initiative as “a historic step in women’s health” and a key component of President John Dramani Mahama’s Free Primary Health Care initiative, which focuses on 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,” Akandoh said.

He explained that Ghana is introducing the Gardasil 4 vaccine, which has been approved by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is globally recognized as safe and effective.

The vaccine, which is free and available nationwide, will be delivered mainly through schools and community outreach programmes to ensure all eligible girls are reached.

The minister assured parents that the vaccine is safe and not linked to any conspiracy theories, urging all caregivers to have their daughters vaccinated. He added that Ghana’s rollout builds on earlier pilot programmes and will be integrated into the country’s routine immunisation schedule after the campaign.

In a welcome address read on his behalf, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said the initiative ensures equal access to life-saving healthcare.

“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. This is a victory for equity and prevention,” he noted.

Chairing the launch, Prof Smile Gavua Dzisi described the campaign as “a defining moment in Ghana’s commitment to safeguard the health and future of girls.”

The minister commended the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, USAID, CDC, PATH, health workers and the media for their vital support in making the campaign possible.

The campaign runs until Sunday, October 11, and the Ministry of Health is urging all parents and guardians to ensure that their daughters aged 9 to 14 years receive the vaccine.