In a united front against cervical cancer, leading faith-based institutions and key government agencies have pledged support for a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.
The campaign, endorsed by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Office of the National Chief Imam, the Tijaniyya Muslim Council, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Ghana Education Service (GES), and UNICEF, seeks to increase awareness and participation in the fight against HPV-related diseases.
Speaking at the launch, UNICEF Country Director, Osama Makkawi Khogali, underscored the importance of involving religious and institutional leaders in the campaign, noting “These leaders will play a crucial role in awareness creation and public education. From communicating the dates of the campaign to assuring the public of the vaccine’s safety, their platforms will significantly boost participation,” he explained.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Apostle Immanuel Tettey, encouraged Ghanaians to embrace the exercise, emphasizing its benefits.
“Let’s make ourselves available for this vaccination. It will help our communities and our families. We have been assured that there are no negative side effects, including on birth rates,” he stated.
Adding his voice, Dr. Mohammed Marzuq, aide to the National Chief Imam, highlighted the collective responsibility in fighting HPV, stating “This is a civil duty. The fight against HPV requires the combined efforts of both religious and secular entities, and its benefits will extend to all.”
HPV is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer worldwide. In Ghana, it ranks among the most common cancers affecting women, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 44. The nationwide vaccination campaign aims to reduce new infections and save lives by making protection widely accessible.
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Source: Benjamin Ekow Hutchful/ATLFMNEWS
