GHS Director-General pushes for 100% yellow fever vaccination coverage in Upper West

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has called for 100 per cent yellow fever vaccination coverage in the Upper West Region as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the disease.

Dr Kaba appealed on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a one-day working visit to the region to monitor the ongoing reactive vaccination campaign at Siiriyiri in the Wa West District.

Addressing chiefs, community members, and a section of the media, he said the campaign had reached 92 per cent coverage at the time of his visit, stressing that reaching every eligible person remained a priority.

The exercise targets people aged nine months to 60 years, excluding pregnant women, with the Director-General urging traditional authorities, the youth and residents to support health workers in reaching those yet to be vaccinated.

“If we don't cover 100 per cent, I cannot go to sleep. None of my officers can go to sleep,” Dr Kaba said, emphasising the collective responsibility of health authorities and communities in the fight against yellow fever.

He assured residents the vaccine was free and safe, citing campaign data showing only one mild reaction; 225,446 people vaccinated up to the time of his address.

Dr Kaba announced that the Ghana Health Service was collaborating with Veterinary Services to reach mobile populations who might otherwise be missed by vaccination teams.

He urged residents to report suspected cases, particularly involving people arriving from neighbouring communities, to ensure timely medical attention and help prevent further transmission.

The Director-General further encouraged households to welcome health workers during house-to-house visits under the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, which is expected to support vaccination efforts.

He cautioned young people against assuming they were safe from yellow fever because of their age or physical strength, urging all eligible residents to take advantage of the free vaccination exercise.

Dr Kaba, who also donated 100 motorbikes to the regional health directorate for onward distribution to the various districts as part of the government's free primary health care programme, said the ultimate goal was to achieve complete coverage across the target communities, describing community cooperation as essential to protecting lives and containing any outbreak.

The Ghana Health Service is counting on traditional leaders, community members and the youth to help close the remaining vaccination gap and protect the Upper West Region against yellow fever.