Hope for Future Generations, an NGO, has urged the government to prioritize the Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) for teenagers in Ghana. The Executive Director of HFFG, Cecilia Senoo, emphasized the need for the government and donor agencies to address the increasing rate of cervical cancer by incorporating the vaccine into the national vaccination program.
Senoo expressed hope that the HPV vaccine would be included in the government’s routine immunization program to ensure comprehensive protection against preventable diseases for the future generation. She pointed out the challenge of affordability, with the two-dose vaccine currently priced at $200 per dose in Ghana, making it inaccessible to many.
The workshop organized by HFFG in collaboration with selected Queens in the Volta Region was part of the “Financing Immunization Advocacy Response (FAIR) Project”, a four-year initiative aimed at equipping Queen mothers to undertake projects for increasing community education on new vaccines and domestic financing for immunization campaigns.
Madam Senoo also stressed the importance of investing in preventive health and extensive public education on preventable diseases like cervical cancer, in order to dispel misinformation, myths, and cultural beliefs. She called for stakeholders to prioritize preventive health by providing correct and timely information to people in hard-to-reach areas.
Mama Dzitri II of Wli Agorviofe in the Hohoe Municipality echoed the appeal to the government, emphasizing the importance of timely release of funds budgeted for vaccines in order to prevent shortages and protect the lives of infants.
According to the Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers Fact Sheet 2023, cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Ghana, with an estimate of 2,797 cases diagnosed and 1,699 deaths due to the disease. Females aged 15 years and above are at risk of developing cervical cancer if not vaccinated.
Stakeholders are advocating for sustained screening and treatment centers for precancers at all levels to combat cervical cancer and are calling for sufficient funding to support these efforts. Therefore, the call for the government to prioritize the HPV vaccine and ensure its accessibility to all girls in Ghana has become increasingly important.
