A total of 228 girls aged nine to 14 were last Friday vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at Teshie in the Ledzokuku municipality of Greater Accra as part of activities marking the 2026 African Vaccination Week.

The HPV vaccine was introduced in Ghana in October 2025, to help prevent Cervical cancer – the second most frequent cancer among women in the country.

Partners for the event were the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, ipvs, World Health Organisatio (WHO), The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, PATH, JSI. Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), Rotary and AMMREN.

Leaving no child behind

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea said the exercise is part of efforts to ensure no eligible child is left behind following the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine.

Dr Akoriyea added that the initiative aims to protect the future health of young girls while strengthening preventive healthcare delivery across communities.

“This is African Vaccination Week, and across the continent there are vaccination activities throughout the period. In Ghana, we launched the HPV vaccine last year, and we do not want the momentum to slow down. After the launch, we went into schools and communities, and as part of this week, we are revisiting those areas to ensure that no one is left behind."

“That is why we are in schools—whether Christian, government, private or Muslim institutions—to ensure that all girls between the ages of 9 and 14 are reached and protected,” he said.

He emphasised that the vaccination is free of charge, in line with government policy, and forms part of a broader primary healthcare strategy that includes community outreach, home visits and public education.

"All the exercise that we are doing is for free. No one should pay even one cent for any of the services. The HPV vaccine is for free. It's a directive and very clear from His Excellency the President, John Jambani Mahama, to make sure that we implement it is for free," he said.

"We also take that opportunity to meet with our health workforce, the community health nurses to understand their work. And surprisingly, all of them are asking for the tricycle so that they can carry their vaccines. So we are doing  our best to make sure that they will be well equipped to undertake this free primary healthcare exercise.

WHO affirms HPV vaccine safety

WHO representative, Dr Frank John Lule commended Ghana for its strong performance in immunisation efforts during African Vaccination Week.

He emphasised that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, and effective, noting that it plays a critical role in protecting young girls against cervical cancer.

Dr Lule also reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to partnering with the Government of Ghana to expand vaccination efforts, not only for HPV but for other preventable diseases, to ensure broader protection for children across the country.