Accra — Civil society organisations, traditional authorities, and health advocates have called on the government to strengthen and sustain domestic financing for Ghana’s immunisation programme, warning that children and communities remain vulnerable to preventable diseases without reliable funding.
Speaking at the Citizens’ Budget Input Forum in Accra, Mr. Stephen Atasige, Country Coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), stressed the importance of citizen engagement in shaping the 2026 national budget, particularly for vaccine financing. The forum, held in partnership with Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) under the Vaccine Advocacy, Sustainability and Networking (VASN) project, seeks to ensure timely and adequate funding for immunisation nationwide.
“Ghana is expected to fully fund its immunisation programme by 2030,” Mr. Atasige said. “We must begin building sustainable financing now to avoid dependence on donors, prevent stock-outs, and protect the lives of our children.” He encouraged the exploration of innovative financing approaches, including earmarked health taxes and allocations from the National Health Insurance Levy, to create a reliable funding pool for vaccines.
The forum also highlighted government’s progress in meeting its 2025 vaccine co-financing obligations, which amounted to $24.6 million and were settled earlier than in previous years. While this was commended, participants noted that consistent prioritisation in future budgets is crucial to maintain immunisation coverage and prevent disruptions in service delivery.
Mr. Kofi Sarfo Mensah, Principal Planner at the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining vaccine coverage through public-private partnerships, efficiency improvements, and local vaccine production. He cited the National Vaccine Institute, established in 2023, which recently produced an anti-rabies serum, as a step towards reducing reliance on imported vaccines and lowering costs.
Civil society and community leaders urged their peers to act as advocates for citizens. Mrs. Cecilia Senoo, Executive Director of HFFG, called on traditional and religious leaders to serve as the “voice of the voiceless,” pressing for consistent budgetary allocations for immunisation. Supporting this call, Naana Korleki Korley I, Queen Mother of Ada Terkpebiawe Divisional Area, described vaccines as essential public health commodities, emphasizing the crucial role of community voices in safeguarding Ghanaian children.
The forum forms part of broader initiatives to ensure that citizen perspectives are incorporated into national budget planning for health, particularly as Ghana transitions from donor-supported immunisation to full self-sufficiency. Advocates stressed that sustained domestic funding is critical for protecting public health and building a resilient healthcare system for the future.
