Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced the inclusion of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the country’s National Immunisation Programme.
The vaccine will target girls aged 9 to 14 years as part of government’s strategy to prevent cervical cancer and reduce deaths from the disease.
The Minister made the announcement during a ceremony at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where Telecel Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Care), donated a new Colposcopy Machine to support cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Hon. Akandoh described the introduction of the HPV vaccine as a major step in the fight against cervical cancer, which affects about 3,000 women in Ghana every year.
“While many promises are made, few are fulfilled. Telecel has shown true leadership and commitment by honouring its pledge to support women’s health,” the Minister said. He expressed gratitude to Telecel, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the Ghana Health Service and the Korle Bu team for their collaboration, urging other corporate bodies to emulate Telecel’s example through the Mahama Care initiative.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adams, thanked Telecel and its partners for their generosity, explaining that the Colposcopy Machine will greatly enhance early detection and diagnosis of cervical abnormalities.
“This equipment will not only improve diagnosis and patient outcomes but also serve as an essential training tool for our young clinicians,” Dr. Adams said. He added that such partnerships reflect the spirit of innovation and shared responsibility driving the hospital’s transformation agenda.
Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Mrs. Obuobia Darko-Opoku, praised Korle Bu’s commitment to women’s health and commended Telecel for fulfilling its promise under the Mahama Care initiative. She said the donation forms part of a wider national programme to provide screening equipment to selected hospitals across the country.
“This collaboration shows how corporate entities and public institutions can work together to save lives and create lasting impact,” she noted.
Telecel Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Moh Damush, expressed pride in the company’s contribution, describing it as part of Telecel’s broader mission to empower communities. He said the advanced diagnostic equipment can take biopsy samples and assist clinicians during consultations, with the potential to screen more than 5,000 women within the next two years.
“Telecel’s mission goes beyond connecting people, it is about connecting lives for a greater purpose,” Mr. Damush said, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting women’s health initiatives across Ghana.
