Accra: Ghana has fulfilled its 2025 co-financing obligation of $24.5 million for vaccines, a move expected to help sustain progress in child health and vaccine availability. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Ghana, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, commended the government for the timely payment, noting it would reduce the risk of vaccine shortages.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ghana consistently and timely met its vaccine financing obligations until 2022, when post-COVID-19 economic challenges, rising co-financing requirements, and limited fiscal space-linked to the country's transition from Gavi support-led to delays. This full payment marks a significant milestone in Ghana's return to pre-pandemic financing performance.
Completing the 2025 co-financing obligation is critical to ensuring uninterrupted vaccine supply, maintaining herd immunity, and supporting the introduction of new vaccines. It also strengthens the broader health system and safeguards the health and survival of Ghanaian children, officials noted.
Mr. Osama Makkawi Khogali, UNICEF Representative in Ghana, lauded the government's commitment to immunisation and child health. 'I am proud to stand with the Government of Ghana in celebrating this important milestone. Although post-COVID economic pressures led to delays in payments and interrupted regular vaccine availability and ultimately vaccination coverage, this full payment reflects a commendable prioritisation of child health. By investing in immunisation, the government is ensuring that every Ghanaian child-regardless of location-is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases,' he stated.
UNICEF urged the government to sustain its commitment to domestic vaccine financing, especially as international development aid continues to decline. 'Investing in vaccines offers one of the highest returns in public health-preventing disease is far more cost-effective than treating it. Sustained investment today lays the foundation for a healthier, and more resilient future generation,' the organisation added.
UNICEF is the world's leading child rights agency, operating in over 190 countries and territories to protect and promote children's right to health and survival.
