By Jones Anlimah
As Ghana prepares to mark the 2025 African Vaccination Week (AVW) and Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW), health experts and advocates are calling for stronger media engagement to promote vaccination and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 which talks about Good Health and Well-being.
At a webinar organized to commemorate the events, the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) under the Ghana Health Service (GHS) jointly called on journalists to champion evidence-based reporting on immunization and child health issues.
Prof. Francis B. Zotor, AMMREN Vice Board Chair, emphasized that achieving health-related SDGs will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs but also on building public trust and countering misinformation — roles in which the media are pivotal.
“Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions known to humanity,” Prof. Zotor said. “Yet its success depends on trust, information, and public confidence. Journalists must tell the real stories — from the commitment of health workers to the resilience of mothers in remote communities.”
The webinar, themed “Every Child Deserves a Healthy Future; Invest in Your Child. Attend Weighing Regularly,” highlighted the importance of child growth monitoring and immunization as fundamental steps toward reducing child mortality, one of the core targets under SDG 3.
Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, EPI Manager, provided an overview of Ghana’s immunization milestones, citing achievements such as the elimination of neonatal tetanus, the absence of wild poliovirus since 2008, and a sharp reduction in measles-related deaths. These, he said, have contributed to lowering the country’s under-five mortality rate from 111 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 40 per 1,000 live births in 2022.
However, both speakers noted that challenges persist — including vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, cold chain equipment breakdowns, and reliance on external funding. As Ghana moves toward transitioning from Gavi support by 2030, sustaining immunization gains through local ownership and robust advocacy is seen as critical.
AMMREN, through its National Media Vaccine Network established last year with WHO Ghana, pledged continued support for capacity building among journalists to ensure responsible and impactful storytelling on immunization and child health.
“No child should suffer or die from a preventable disease. Every child vaccinated is a step toward a stronger, healthier Ghana — and closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” Prof. Zotor concluded.
National activities planned for the AVW and CHPW celebrations include a joint national launch on April 30, media campaigns, health walks, community outreaches, and high-level visits to vaccination centers to advocate for increased uptake of services.
