THE SOUTH Tongu Municipal Assembly has launched a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to help prevent cervical cancer among girls aged 9 to 14.
The campaign, led by Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Victoria Dzeklo, is part of Ghana’s national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
The vaccine being used is Gardasil 4, which is administered in a single dose. It aims to protect young girls from HPV, the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer. Over 2.4 million girls across Ghana are expected to receive the vaccine during the nationwide exercise, which officially began on October 7, 2025.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo stressed on the importance of the campaign in safeguarding the future of girls in the district. She said early vaccination before girls become sexually active offers the best protection.
Cervical cancer remains a serious health threat in Ghana. In 2020, about 2,797 women were diagnosed with the disease, and 1,699 lost their lives. It is currently the second most common cancer among Ghanaian women, especially those aged 15 to 44.
Health officials believe that increasing access to the HPV vaccine can drastically reduce these numbers. The South Tongu Municipal Health Directorate is calling on parents, schools, and community leaders to support the campaign and ensure all eligible girls are vaccinated.
This initiative marks a major step in promoting public health and preventing avoidable deaths from cervical cancer in the South Tongu District and beyond.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
