STRENTHENING VACCINE CONFIDENCE: GHANA’S BOLD JOURNEY TOWARDS SELF SUFFICIENCY AND PUBLIC TRUST

‎In a powerful display of collaboration between science and the media, the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), convened a virtual webinar under the theme “Strengthening Vaccine Communication in Ghana.”

‎The session, held on Zoom, brought together public health experts, journalists, and institutional leaders to explore how effective communication can bridge the gap between scientific achievement and public understanding.

Opening Session: A Call to Collective Action

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‎The program, moderated by Dr. Samuel Nyame, opened with remarks from several key figures in Ghana’s health sector. Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute, delivered the keynote address. He expressed gratitude to the GHS, EPI, WHO, and AMMREN for their collaboration, describing the event as “an important moment to align science with storytelling.”

‎“A vaccine can only save lives when people understand, trust, and accept it,” he said. “That is where the media plays a crucial role.”

‎Dr. Sodzi-Tettey highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the fragility of global vaccine access and pushed Ghana to rethink its dependence on imports. This led to the National Vaccine Institute Act (Act 1097) passed by Parliament in 2023, a landmark step that established the NVI to coordinate vaccine research, development, and manufacturing.He noted that the Institute’s vision is to build a self-sufficient, resilient, and innovative vaccine ecosystem rooted in integrity, innovation, and collaboration. Importantly, he emphasized that the “end users” families and communities must be carried along at every stage of Ghana’s vaccine journey.

‎Media as Partners in Public Health

‎Representing AMMREN, Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Secretary, echoed the critical role of journalists in shaping public perception and promoting trust.

“Vaccines remain one of the most effective public health interventions in human history,” she said. “But their power can only be realized when people trust and accept them.”

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‎Dr. Binka cautioned that misinformation, hesitancy, and limited understanding continue to threaten progress, citing recent public opposition to the HPV vaccine campaign in Ghana as evidence of persistent challenges. She reaffirmed AMMREN’s commitment to training journalists and equipping them with credible, evidence-based health information. The creation of the National Vaccine Media Network, she added, is a step toward continuous learning and collaboration among vaccine-focused journalists.

‎ “The media are trusted voices and educators,” Dr. Binka said. “Be champions of vaccine confidence. Seek the facts, challenge misinformation, and tell the stories that move hearts and minds.”

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Partnerships and Shared Responsibility

‎Also addressing the participants were the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, the WHO Country Representative, and other senior officials. They all underscored that collaboration across sectors from health institutions to the press is essential for maintaining vaccine confidence and combating misinformation. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey further commended the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for providing a strong regulatory framework that assures vaccine safety. He also highlighted the ongoing technology transfer partnerships the NVI is structuring with experienced global players a move that will accelerate Ghana’s path toward local vaccine manufacturing.

Ghana’s Path Forward

Speakers celebrated Ghana’s long-standing success in immunization through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which since 1978 has lifted vaccination coverage above 85% for most antigens and drastically reduced child mortality. But they also acknowledged the need for continuous media engagement to sustain public trust and counter emerging waves of misinformation. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey stressed that the story of vaccine production is not only scientific it is a story of national pride, innovation, and resilience. “Every milestone achieved whether in manufacturing, research, regulation, or communication brings us closer to health security and self-sufficiency,” he said.

‎A Shared Vision

‎As the webinar drew to a close, speakers echoed one collective message: communication is as vital as innovation. Strengthening the relationship between scientists, public health officials, and the media is key to ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to trustworthy health information. “Together with the media,” Dr. Sodzi-Tettey concluded, “we can build a future where health information empowers, vaccines protect, and every citizen lives a healthy, dignified life.”

The webinar ended with renewed commitment from both health institutions and journalists to promote vaccine confidence a crucial step toward Ghana’s goal of vaccine self-reliance and public health resilience.

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All major personalities that took part in the webinar: Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Dr. Samuel Nyame, Dr. Charity Binka, the GHS Director-General, WHO Country Representative.

‎All key institutions: NVI, GHS, EPI, WHO, AMMREN, FDA, and the National Vaccine Media Network.

‎Key details: HPV campaign reference, NVI Act (Act 1097), and the emphasis on technology transfer and media capacity-building.

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