The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has announced that Ghana will begin a nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in September 2025.

The initiative targets girls aged 9 to 14 and aims to protect them against cervical cancer.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with education sector partners, Prof Akoriyea stated that the vaccine will be integrated into Ghana’s routine national immunisation schedule and provided at no cost.

“HPV vaccines are safe and well-tolerated. Our Food and Drugs Authority has done its due diligence, and today, Ghana joins 144 WHO member states in taking this bold step to protect our girls,” he said.

According to graphiconline.com report on June 22, 2025, Ghana initially introduced the HPV vaccine in 2013 through a pilot programme in the Greater Accra, Central, and Northern regions.

With over a decade of experience from the pilot, the GHS now considers the country ready for nationwide implementation.

Dr Nazir Tanko Mohammed, Deputy Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, disclosed that the vaccine will be administered as a single dose through school-based delivery and community outreach programmes.

He said this strategy is expected to reach more than 2.5 million girls.

“Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana. Each year, we record more than 2,800 new cases,” Dr Mohammed indicated.

UNICEF Ghana’s Chief of Health and Nutrition, Dr Manuel Dewez, confirmed that Ghana has received its first shipment of the vaccine, with an additional 2.5 million doses expected in the coming months.

He emphasised the need for inter-sectoral collaboration to address logistical and funding challenges.

The Ghana Health Service urged the public to support awareness campaigns, assist with pre-registration of eligible girls, and help create an environment conducive to the successful rollout of the programme.

MRA/EB

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