Fighting Polio demands Stronger Political Commitment – Expert
Ms Theresa Osei Tutu, Former Assistant Governor, National Polio Plus Committee of Rotary International on Wednesday said fighting to end Polio in Ghana demands a stronger political and societal commitment.
She said “as the world marks the global immunization week, we are 99.9 per cent there, but reaching the 0.1 per cent requires stronger political and societal commitment”.
Ms Osei Tutu said this to the Ghana News Agency News after unveiling two ‘End Polio Now’ billboards featuring two musical artists, to commemorate World Immunization week.
The billboards with the effigy of local Musicians Samini and Okyeame Kwame are planted opposite Brennan House-National Lotteries and the other at Efua Sutherland Children Park.
The Rotary Club of Accra – Airport in collaboration with Ghana National Polio Plus committee built the billboards, which seek to celebrating ten years of a Polio-Free Ghana.
According to Ms Osei Tutu, Polio continues to be the number one project for Rotary and will continue to be so until the world is completely Polio-free.
She said polio was caused by non-attendants at antenatal clinic, unsuccessful abortion, and poor nutrition whilst some traditions had the unscientific notion that polio is also caused by juju (black magic).
She was optimistic that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was implementing strategies and tactics to improve vaccination coverage and reach more children than ever before.
Ms Osei Tutu said Rotary and its partners have protected more than 2.5 billion children from polio.
Mr Emmanuel Andrews known by his stage name as ‘Samini’ expressed gratitude through the GNA classifying the opportunity to serve as Polio Ambassador worthwhile.
“Am grateful for the opportunity to be on board and it is not only about being an entertainer but to support the project and willing to give my maximum support for the success of the project,” he said.
Celebrated in the last week of April, World Immunization Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
Immunization saves millions of lives every year and it is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions.
Yet, there are still nearly 20 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world today.
The theme of this year’s campaign is : “Protected Together: Vaccines Work,” and the campaign will celebrate Vaccine Heroes from around the world – from parents and community members to health workers and innovators – who help ensure we are all protected, at all ages, through the power of vaccines.
The theme also aims to raise awareness about the importance of full immunization throughout life and urge greater action.
The campaign emphasizes the role and responsibility of everyone—policymakers, health workers, and individuals—in closing the immunization gap to protect children and broader communities.
Source: GNA