Tema: The Tema Metropolitan Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has launched a sensitisation initiative targeting various churches and local groups to highlight the significance of childhood vaccinations and child welfare services.
According to Ghana News Agency, this public education effort, conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), aims to address the concerns surrounding the low participation in vaccination programmes, particularly in the Greater Accra Region. The initiative focuses on engaging diverse community segments, including churches, artisanal groups, and other local associations, to enhance awareness and participation in child health and immunisation efforts.
Ms Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, the Tema Metropolitan Director of NCCE, expressed concern over the decline in the number of mothers bringing their children for routine vaccinations and growth monitoring. She attributed this trend to misinformation, fear, and a lack of awareness among some population segments, particularly parents and caregivers. Ms Badu stressed the importance of childhood vaccinations, especially for children under five, noting that immunisation is one of the most reliable and cost-effective public health interventions.
The NCCE Director urged religious leaders and faith-based organisations to support national health campaigns actively by advocating for immunisation and regular child health check-ups. She highlighted the need to correct misconceptions and encourage positive health-seeking behaviours. Ms Badu cautioned that failure to vaccinate and monitor children's growth exposes them to preventable health risks and emphasised NCCE's commitment to intensifying community outreach to foster informed decision-making and improve health outcomes.
Madam Portia Efua Ntsiful, Health Promotion Officer at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, reiterated the long-term benefits of childhood immunisations, pointing out the national immunisation programme's role in reducing childhood mortality rates in Ghana. She explained that vaccines stimulate the child's immune system to recognise and combat specific pathogens, and noted that delays or refusal to vaccinate could lead to a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, posing threats to public health.
Madam Ntsiful emphasised the consequences of non-compliance, including severe illness and long-term disability, and highlighted the critical role mothers play in safeguarding their children's health by adhering to the national immunisation schedule. She also educated participants on the re-emergence of Mpox and stressed the importance of enhancing sanitation practices to prevent its spread.
