Ghana is taking a strategic step to fund its own vaccine supplies and safeguard public health, as it prepares to transition from support by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) by 2030.
The National Vaccine Institute (NVI) said this transition marks a defining moment in the country’s journey toward vaccine sustainability, sovereignty, and long-term health security.
A press statement released in Accra by the NVI said to strengthen its work and ensure that locally manufactured vaccines are trusted and accepted, it has launched a nationwide vaccine perception survey.
This survey is to generate evidence-based insights rooted in community realities to ensure that Made-in-Ghana vaccines meet not only the highest quality and safety standards, but also engender trust and confidence among end users.
Adding that the survey directly supports NVI’s core mandate to coordinate and supervise vaccine and sera research, development, and manufacturing in Ghana by bridging vaccine manufacturing and public acceptance.
According to the statement, the survey is being conducted in 55 districts across all 16 regions of Ghana and runs for two months, from February 16 to March 10, 2026.
It includes quantitative data collection from 11,077 respondents through structured interviews using random sampling and seven focus group discussions in strategically selected districts to gather qualitative insights.
The study is to assess public attitudes toward vaccines, identify drivers of confidence, examine barriers to the acceptance of Made-in-Ghana vaccines, and map misinformation trends that undermine uptake.
The statement said conducting research across all 16 regions ensures that policies reflect Ghana’s diversity and address the realities of both high-confidence and high-hesitancy communities.
The 55-district sample includes representation from every region, covering Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, as well as seven strategic sites for focus group discussions. It said that approximately 200 respondents per district provide sufficient statistical power for district-level estimates and regional comparisons, balancing geographic representation with operational feasibility.
According to the NVI, the survey aims to generate evidence that will inform communication strategies and identify trusted messengers for the Made-in-Ghana vaccine rollout and distinguish between attitudinal hesitancy and structural barriers to enable targeted interventions.
It will also guide region-specific and demographic-specific vaccine messaging; support Ghana’s health security transition by aligning manufacturing capacity with public acceptance and build sustained public trust through transparent, evidence-based communication.
to the CEO of NVI, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, “this is not a sales pitch. We genuinely want to listen and understand. The information provided is strictly confidential. Together, we build vaccine confidence that protects every Ghanaian.”
“Local vaccines must inspire confidence to succeed. Ghana has long been a leader in immunization in West Africa, built on trust in health workers and vaccines. As we begin manufacturing our own vaccines, we must carry that legacy forward through transparency, engagement, and listening to the community” he further noted.
The NVI said by identifying key myths, amplifying trusted messengers, and addressing structural barriers, Ghana will ensure that locally-produced vaccines are not only technically sound but socially embraced.
By Eunice Menka
