Madam Ernestina Adzim, Volta Regional Field Officer, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, said Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs have a critical role to play in ensuring the success of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination exercise.
She also emphasized the need for a strong community participation to achieve the full coverage of the exercise.
Madam Adzim stated this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Ho.
She has therefore called on traditional and religious leaders, teachers, and all other stakeholders to join the campaign by encouraging families to present their daughters aged between nine and 14 years for the vaccination.
Madam Adzim noted that cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women, adding that the HPV vaccine was a good means to prevent girls from acquiring cervical cancer.
“The HPV vaccine is a powerful step in protecting the next generation of women from cervical cancer, safeguarding their health and future well-being,” she stressed.
In another development, Mr Samuel Yao Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, has reiterated that CSOs and NGOs had a role to play for the success of the campaign.
He mentioned some of the roles as community sensitization and education in churches, Mosques, schools and markets, local media, and mobilization of parents and guardians to ensure the success of the vaccination exercise.
He said the CSOs could also lead advocacy to ensure that government and Assemblies prioritize immunization and resources allocation, monitoring and feedback to promote transparency and address challenges such as stock outs or misinformation.
Mr Atidzah said they could also provide support for the vulnerable population, especially girls in hard-to-reach areas, orphanages and disadvantaged homes, partnership with health authorities, schools and local health facilities.
He said if done well, it would strengthen the success of the vaccine delivery.
Mr Atidzah noted that the campaign in the Volta region was being led by the Ghana Health Service with support from GAVI, the Coalition of NGOs in Health and partners including GOSANET Foundation.
The nationwide HPV vaccination of girls aged between nine and 14 years starts on 7th to 11th October, 2025.
GNA
