News
GAVI CEO pays courtesy call on Health Minister
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The Ministry of Health was honoured to welcome Dr. Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), during a courtesy call that underscored the enduring and valued partnership between Ghana and Gavi.
Her visit reflected the shared vision that every child, regardless of where they live, deserves access to life-saving vaccines.
In a statement during the meeting, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighted the progress Ghana has made over two decades of collaboration with Gavi.
These achievements range from the introduction of new vaccines and the strengthening of health systems to expanding access to essential immunisation services for underserved populations.
The Minister also emphasized Ghana’s commitment to sustainable immunisation financing, citing the removal of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) cap and a 13% increase in the 2025 health budget as key milestones.
Mr. Akandoh announced plans to introduce two new vaccines, the Hepatitis B birth dose and the HPV vaccine with continued technical and financial support from Gavi.
He further noted that Ghana is working to ensure long-term sustainability as it prepares for full transition from Gavi support by 2030.
These efforts include the development of an Investment Case for Immunisation and advancing domestic vaccine manufacturing through partnerships with Atlantic Lifesciences and DEK Vaccines, aligning with Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator initiative.
Dr. Nishtar praised Ghana’s consistent leadership in immunisation and its dedication to improving vaccine access for all children.
She acknowledged the government’s strong commitment to domestic resource mobilisation, including recent policy reforms such as the removal of the NHIL cap and the increased allocation in the health budget.
She also welcomed the development of Ghana’s Investment Case for Immunisation as part of its roadmap toward transitioning from Gavi support by 2030.
Additionally, she recognised the country’s growing role in regional vaccine manufacturing, with promising local partnerships progressing under the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator.
Dr. Nishtar expressed Gavi’s support for Ghana’s strategic direction and reaffirmed the Alliance’s continued commitment to working closely with the country throughout its transition toward full ownership of its immunisation programme.
Deputy National Women Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mimi Duah, has openly declared her support for Mavis Hawa Koomson as the next National Women’s Organiser of the party.
In a statement endorsing Hawa Koomson’s candidature, Ms Duah outlined four key reasons why she believes the former MP and Minister of State is best placed to lead the party’s women’s wing.
According to her, Hawa Koomson is a motherly figure who rose from the grassroots and is widely noted for her forgiving nature and ability to foster unity.
“She is a true grassroots mother who easily forgives, fosters unity, provides guidance and arbitrates to ensure all aggrieved party women are brought on board to ensure a unified women’s wing,” she stated.
Ms Duah also pointed to Hawa Koomson’s vast experience, having served as a Constituency Women’s Organiser, Member of Parliament and Minister of State, noting that the experience positions her to provide effective leadership as National Women’s Organiser.
She further described Hawa Koomson as capable of making the women’s wing resourceful, through her extensive network and business contacts, to lobby for logistics, training and financial support for women organisers at all levels.
Lastly, she said the NPP as an opposition party needs fearless, bold and assertive leadership at the women’s front to inspire regional, constituency and polling station women organisers as the party reorganises towards the 2028 elections.
“We need a Women’s Organiser who has been tested, who is bold, who understands grassroots women, and who can lead us to victory in 2028. Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson is that leader,” she stressed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister inaugurates Ghana-Korea Heritage Project Steering Committee
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has inaugurated the Ghana-Korea Heritage Project Steering Committee to provide strategic oversight for a five-year programme focused on preserving Ghana’s heritage sites and strengthening their resilience to climate change.
The project will support climate-risk mapping, digital surveying and 3D modelling, joint research, capacity building, community engagement and modern monitoring technologies.
Korea is also providing specialised equipment, including drones, 3D scanners, digital microscopes, thermal imaging cameras and GPS survey instruments, to enhance Ghana’s capacity to scientifically assess, document and conserve heritage structures.
The partnership, which will run through 2030 and beyond, is expected to deepen Ghana-Korea cultural ties while promoting sustainable, technology-driven and climate-adaptive heritage management for future generations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
