Ghana has embarked on a significant public health endeavor with the launch of the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), this nationwide exercise, running from October 7 to 11, 2025, aims to protect girls aged 9 to 14 years against cervical cancer, a pervasive and deadly disease affecting women across the nation.

The campaign has garnered strong support from various stakeholders, including the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ghana (SPMDP). In a statement, SPMDP National President Dr. (Med) Andre Kwasi-Kumah and National Secretary Dr. (Med) Matthew Kwame Edusei lauded the initiative as a "landmark public health initiative" and a "vital investment in the health and future of Ghanaian girls." Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during the official launch on Wednesday, October 8, further emphasized its importance, describing it as "a historic step in women’s health" and a key component of President John Mahama’s Free Primary Health Care initiative.

Cervical cancer poses a grave threat to women in Ghana, with alarming statistics underscoring the urgent need for preventive measures. Each year, Ghana records nearly 3,000 new cases, leading to approximately 2,000 deaths. The Ghana Health Service indicates that over 2,797 women are diagnosed annually, with only about 40 percent surviving. Recognized as the second most common cancer among women, cervical cancer is predominantly caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is often transmitted as a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Health worker Adwoa Anima from Manhyia Government Hospital highlighted that the vaccine offers strong protection when administered before any exposure to the virus.

To combat this, Ghana is introducing the Gardasil 4 vaccine, which has received approval from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This vaccine, proven to be safe, effective, and lifesaving, provides long-term protection against the most common cancer-causing strains of HPV. It is being offered free of charge and is accessible nationwide, primarily through schools, health centres, designated vaccination sites, and community outreach efforts to ensure comprehensive coverage. Minister Akandoh reassured parents about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, dispelling prevalent myths and misinformation. Following this campaign, the HPV vaccination will be integrated into the country’s routine immunization schedule, establishing a sustained defense against the virus.

The campaign also marks a significant stride towards health equity. As Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, noted, "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." The SPMDP has called upon all private medical and dental practitioners to actively support the campaign through public education, client sensitisation, community outreach, and by referring eligible girls to vaccination sites. Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi, who chaired the launch, affirmed the campaign as "a defining moment in Ghana’s commitment to safeguard the health and future of girls." With continued collaboration from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, USAID, CDC, and PATH, the collective aim is to make cervical cancer elimination in Ghana achievable within a generation, ensuring that no eligible girl is left behind.