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The Upper West Regional Health Directorate has launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect girls against cervical cancer, one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana.
At a stakeholder engagement held at the Regional Health Directorate Conference Room in Wa on October 7, 2025, the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Josephat Nyuzaghl, described the initiative as a historic milestone in safeguarding the health of girls and women in the region.
Dr. Nyuzaghl revealed that Ghana records about 3,000 cervical cancer cases annually, resulting in approximately 1,700 deaths. In 2024 alone, 22 women were diagnosed in the Upper West Region, with more than 70% of cases detected at advanced stages.
He emphasised that the HPV vaccine, which has been safely used worldwide for over 15 years, is effective in preventing most cervical cancer cases.
Under the theme “Protect Your Girl Child Against Cervical Cancer,” the campaign targets 65,703 girls aged 9 to 14 across all 11 districts between October 8 and 12, 2025. It involves 391 officers from the Ghana Health and Education Services. After the campaign, the vaccine will be integrated into Ghana’s routine immunisation programme.
Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr. Collins Boateng Danquah, stressed the need for full vaccination and regular screening among women. He noted that 90% of girls should be fully vaccinated by age 15 and that 70% of women aged 35 and 45 should undergo cervical cancer screening by 2030.
Dr. Danquah expressed concern that most women seek medical attention only when the disease has advanced, making treatment more difficult. He urged women to embrace early screening and vaccination as key strategies to eliminate cervical cancer in the region and beyond.
