Accra: Ghana has launched the Parliamentary Immunisation Caucus to strengthen sustainable financing and political oversight for vaccines. The 13-member caucus forms a major step toward securing the future of Ghana's immunisation programme by moving beyond passive approval to active advocacy.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, in a speech read on his behalf at a forum to launch the Caucus, said the initiative was timely as Ghana was at a critical stage in its immunisation financing journey. He stated that immunisation was not merely a health intervention but a strategic national investment essential to Ghana's development and long-term prosperity.
Mr. Akandoh commended Members of Parliament for establishing the Caucus, saying it demonstrated accountable and forward-looking leadership in protecting the health and wellbeing of children, families, and communities. He emphasized that vaccines remained among the most cost-effective public health interventions available, making their sustained availability a top national priority. Parliament's constitutional mandate to approve budgets and exercise oversight over public expenditure places it at the center of efforts to safeguard immunisation financing.
The Minister assured of the Government's commitment, disclosing that immunisation financing had been significantly strengthened in recent years. He mentioned that in 2025, the national vaccine allocation increased by 46 percent to about US$171 million, enabling Ghana to fully meet its vaccine financing obligations for the year. He stressed that securing sustainable financing would help protect the gains made under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation and reduce reliance on external funding over time.
He outlined key commitments by the Ministry of Health, including ensuring timely submission and payment of government co-financing obligations, protecting and strengthening immunisation budget lines, and working closely with the Ministry of Finance, Parliament, and development partners to expand domestic resource mobilisation and explore innovative financing mechanisms for vaccines. He also assured of providing transparent and timely reporting on vaccine financing to enhance accountability and public trust, facilitating private sector participation in domestic resource mobilisation, and working with the Vaccine Institute to advance vaccine research and development.
The launch, organised by Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) and partners, was on the theme 'Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainable Immunization Financing in Ghana.' Mrs. Cecilia Senoo, the Executive Director of HFFG, said the forum was at a critical time as Ghana transitioned to middle-income status, a shift leading to declining external support for immunisation while government co-financing obligations, particularly under Gavi arrangements, continued to rise.
Mrs. Senoo highlighted that while Ghana had made significant gains in child survival and disease prevention through the Expanded Programme on Immunization, sustaining these gains would require stronger domestic financing and accountability. Discussions drew lessons from Ghana's participation in the 2025 Istanbul Forum on Catalysing Parliamentary Leadership for Immunization Financing, which resulted in the Istanbul Parliamentary Call to Action.
Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, Chairman of the Parliamentary Immunisation Caucus, on behalf of all members, pledged to champion sustainable financing, strengthen oversight and accountability, promote multi-stakeholder collaborations, advance legislative and policy support, and ensure equity and impact. He assured that the Caucus would enhance advocacy to ensure that every Ghanaian child had access to life-saving vaccines and that the health system becomes resilient, equitable, and sustainable.
The forum is being held as part of the Financing Immunization Advocacy Response (FAIR) Project, implemented by Health Focus Foundation Ghana (HFFG) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.