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Winning trust: A reluctant father’s change of heart on vaccination for his child
In the Ketu North District of Ghana, Erica Doe Hormeku, a passionate Community Health Nurse (CHN) at the Kasu Health Centre, dedicates herself to ensuring every child receives their routine immunisation.
Brimming with enthusiasm and commitment, Erica tirelessly follows up with caregivers, even those hesitant about vaccinating their children.
Despite her best efforts, there are a few who remain adamant, which worries her deeply.
“Some caregivers refuse vaccination for their children, and we follow up to talk to them. Many of these cases have been overturned, but others remain. My fear is that such attitudes are ‘infectious’ and could potentially impact vaccine uptake,” Erica shares.
One such case involved David, a 46-year-old teacher and father of four, who refused to have his youngest child, Dennis, vaccinated, even though his other children were fully vaccinated and remained healthy.
At three years old, Dennis had only received the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine at birth. Under Ghana’s national immunisation schedule, Dennis should have completed his routine vaccinations by 18 months. However, missed doses can still be administered until age five.
David’s reluctance stemmed from a deep mistrust of vaccines. “My parents told me I was not given any vaccines as a child, but I am healthy. These vaccines contain germs that cause illness instead of the so-called protection. I want to use my son to prove to everyone that vaccines are not relevant,” he stressed when health workers visited his home.
Thanks to funding from Canada Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE), Erica and a team from World Health Organisation (WHO) Ghana made a follow-up visit to David’s home. They spent time explaining to him and his partner, Janet, the benefits of vaccination, the safety measures in place, and the risks of leaving a child unvaccinated.
Dr Kwadwo Asante-Afari, WHO’s Technical Officer for Risk Communication and Community Engagement, shared his expertise during the discussion, saying, “Vaccines have contributed significantly to the reduction of deaths and illness, especially among children. Some diseases, including measles and polio, that once killed and maimed children are no longer encountered as often.”
After a thorough conversation, David’s stance began to shift. “I see the importance now, and I want to make sure my son is protected,” he said, agreeing to allow Dennis to receive his missed vaccines. A vaccination plan was created with input from the family, addressing concerns about multiple injections. Dennis was immediately vaccinated with oral polio vaccine, inactivated polio vaccine, pentavalent vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, with a follow-up schedule to complete the remaining doses.
Dennis’ mother, Janet, expressed her relief, saying, “It has always been my prayer that my partner agrees to Dennis’ vaccination just as the other children, and I am happy you defied the terrain and came this far to speak with him. I now have the assurance of my son’s protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Gariba Abubakar Sumaila, the District Director of Health Services, acknowledged the positive impact of the intervention. “We shall work with the family to complete Dennis’ vaccination as planned. WHO’s intervention has been very impactful and will go a long way to strengthen demand for immunisation beyond this case. We have learned a lot from your approach and will scale it up to ensure every child benefits from vaccination”, he explained.
This successful engagement not only ensured Dennis received his vaccination but also strengthened community trust in immunisation. It’s a reminder that changing hearts and minds requires patience, dedication, and a commitment to protecting future generations.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
