CDA Consult calls for nationwide drive to eliminate cervical cancer through HPV vaccination

The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), a public health advocacy organisation, has called for urgent nationwide action to eliminate cervical cancer through expanded Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for eligible girls, describing it as a critical investment in the long-term health of women and communities.

Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet deadly cancers affecting women in Ghana and across sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is mainly caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV and continues to claim thousands of lives each year, largely due to late detection.

Health evidence shows that when the HPV vaccine is administered before exposure to the virus, it provides more than 90 percent protection against the strains responsible for most cervical cancer cases.

“As the global community looks toward 2030 and beyond, one question remains unanswered for the continent: whether Africa is in a position to attain the pragmatic goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and which ones we are ending, especially those relating to health,” said Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director of CDA Consult.

In an interview, Mr. Ameyibor urged a collective effort to build a generation free from cervical cancer through vaccination. “We can protect women tomorrow and create a healthy future for all,” he stated.

He described the HPV vaccine as more than a medical intervention, saying it represents an investment in girls’ education, economic participation, and the long term wellbeing of families and communities.

Mr. Ameyibor acknowledged that while Africa has recorded notable progress in health delivery, significant inequalities still exist between and within countries, as well as within systems designed to provide care.

He also raised concerns about whether emerging technologies will help close existing gaps or deepen them, and questioned the sustainability of efforts to eliminate cervical cancer amid shifting funding and political priorities.

He noted that the period leading to 2030 requires critical reflection rather than slogans. According to him, HPV vaccination is most effective when administered to girls aged 9 to 14, as it builds immunity before exposure to the virus and significantly reduces the risk of precancerous lesions and invasive cervical cancer.

Across the continent, he observed, treating advanced cervical cancer remains expensive and often inaccessible, with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy placing heavy burdens on both health systems and families. Prevention through vaccination, he said, helps reduce these costs and frees resources for other health priorities while lowering out of pocket expenses for households.

Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in their most productive years, particularly those aged 30 to 49. Mr. Ameyibor noted that vaccinating today’s girls will help protect future mothers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

Health experts also indicate that vaccinated populations are expected to enter adulthood with significantly reduced risk.

He further explained that ongoing HPV vaccination rollout efforts are focusing on reaching girls in rural and underserved areas where access to screening services remains limited. School-based and community outreach initiatives, he said, are helping to bridge access gaps so that location does not determine health outcomes.

CDA Consult and its partners are also advocating the integration of HPV vaccination into routine school health programmes, alongside sustained engagement with parents, traditional leaders, and faith-based organisations to address misinformation and build public confidence in the vaccine.

“The science is clear. The strategy is clear. What we need now is purposeful, professional, and dynamic implementation,” Mr. Ameyibor said. “A generation free from cervical cancer is achievable within our lifetime if we act decisively today.”

Ghana introduced the HPV vaccine into its national immunisation programme in 2023 for girls aged 9 to 14. Health officials report steady progress, although stakeholders continue to emphasise the need for sustained political commitment, adequate funding, and stronger public engagement to achieve the World Health Organization target of 90 percent coverage for cervical cancer elimination.

As Ghana works toward improved public health outcomes, advocates say the message remains clear: vaccinate eligible girls today, protect women tomorrow, and secure a healthier future for generations to come.

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