Parliament has formally launched the Parliamentary Caucus on Immunization, marking a major legislative intervention aimed at strengthening the country
Parliament has formally launched the Parliamentary Caucus on Immunization, marking a major legislative intervention aimed at strengthening the country’s immunization programme and securing sustainable domestic financing for vaccines as donor support gradually declines.
The launch was accompanied by a high-level engagement forum on domestic resource mobilization for vaccine financing, underscoring Parliament’s growing role in safeguarding public health through policy leadership and oversight.
The initiative comes at a critical time as Ghana prepares to transition towards self-financing of vaccines by January 2030, in line with evolving global health financing arrangements and increased co-financing obligations under Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Over the years, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has been instrumental in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases and improving child survival, largely supported by external partners.
However, with donor funding expected to taper, policymakers are now focusing on predictable domestic funding to sustain these gains.
Delivering a keynote support message at the forum, Dr. Sandaare Ngmenenso Sandaare, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Immunization and Member of Parliament for Daffiama/Bussie/Issa, emphasized the need for strong political commitment and bipartisan collaboration to protect the public health achievements.
He expressed appreciation to the Speaker of Parliament for approving the formation of the caucus, describing immunization as a critical national development priority.
Dr. Sandaare noted that immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions globally, saving millions of lives each year and playing a central role in the progress in child health.
He warned that as Ghana advances economically and donor support declines, Parliament must take decisive action to ensure reliable domestic financing for vaccines to prevent setbacks in disease control.
The forum was organized by Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Gavi, and other global health partners.
Discussions were also aligned with Gavi’s 2026–2030 Investment Framework (Gavi 6.0), a global initiative targeting the immunization of an additional 500 million children worldwide while mobilizing US$9 billion in new funding.
Reaffirming the caucus’s priorities, Dr. Sandaare said the group will focus on advocating for adequate domestic funding, strengthening parliamentary oversight and accountability, promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration, and supporting legislative reforms that advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ghana.
He stressed the caucus’s commitment to ensuring that every Ghanaian child has access to life-saving vaccines.
The inauguration of the caucus has been widely described as a milestone in institutionalizing parliamentary leadership in immunization, with a strong emphasis on equity, sustainability, and health system resilience.
Also delivering a support message, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, highlighted immunization as a proven public health tool essential for disease prevention and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
The Parliamentary Caucus on Immunization includes a broad cross-section of MPs, reflecting its bipartisan character.
Key members include Alexander Akwasi Acquah (Vice Chair), Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom, Charles Agbeve, Prof. Dr. Titus Kofi Beyuo, Isaac Adongo, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Millicent Amankwah-Yeboah, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Hellen Adjoa Ntoso, and Nana Osei-Adjei.
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