Source: Samuel Nyamekye Jnr.
The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, has called on Parliament to take urgent measures to protect Ghana’s progress in reducing child deaths through malaria vaccination.
Delivering a statement in Parliament on behalf of the people of the Awutu Senya East Constituency—particularly mothers and children in Kasoa—the MP described the introduction of malaria vaccines as a major breakthrough in the fight against one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.
According to her, the vaccines have contributed significantly to reducing child mortality in Ghana. She cited official figures indicating that deaths among children under five have dropped by nearly 86 percent since 2018, describing the achievement as a milestone that represents thousands of lives saved and families spared the pain of losing young children.
However, Hon. Okunor cautioned that this progress could be threatened by declining international support for vaccination programmes. She pointed specifically to potential reductions in funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a key partner that supports vaccine access in developing countries.
To address the potential funding gap, the lawmaker urged Parliament to prioritize increased domestic financing for malaria vaccination programmes. She also called for stronger vaccine logistics systems and improved cold-chain infrastructure, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Hon. Okunor further commended Ghanaian mothers, nurses, and health workers for their commitment to immunization efforts across the country. She urged Parliament to act decisively to ensure that Ghana’s gains in the fight against malaria are protected and sustained for future generations.
