Ghana Plans to Graduate from GAVI Funding by 2030, Become a Donor Country- President Mahama assures
President of the Republic of Ghana H.E John Dramani Mahama has stated that, Ghana aims to fast-track its graduation from GAVI funding by 2030 and become a donor country, similar to Indonesia.
“We are hoping that we’ll fast track our winning of GAVI by 2030 we’re supposed to go off GAVI funding by 2030 and it’s my expectation that we will work hard to be like Indonesia and in future, become a donor country to GAVI.” President Mahama.
According to President Mahama, Ghana has achieved 97% immunization coverage with GAVI’s support, but there are still 65,000 children in remote areas who need vaccines.
“we’re proud to be partners with Gavi, and proud to say that in partnership with Gavi, Ghana has achieved 97% immunization coverage, But it means that another 3% is missing, and we’re working hard to find those 65,000 children who are in remote areas that are difficult to reach, and I know that working with Gavi, would be able to find those children and also give them a life saving vaccines.” He mentioned.”
He added that, across the world, many children are growing up to become responsible citizens of their communities because their lives were saved by GAVI civilization in Ghana.
President emphasized that, Ghana is a lower-middle-income country and has spent almost $67 million on vaccines in partnership with GAVI over recent years.
“ Ghana is a lower middle income country, and so our partnership with GAVI is one of co- finance, and I’m proud to say that over the recent years, we spent almost $67 million on vaccines in partnership with GAVI the one of my first decisions as President was to uncap our national health insurance.” He noted.
President’s first decision was to uncap the national health insurance, which has increased the health insurance fund by more than 3.5 billion cedis , enabling a $20 million front-loaded contribution to GAVI.
“One of my first decisions as President was to uncap our national health insurance. The previous government had put a cap on the statutory fund of the national health insurance so excess funding above a certain percentage of the budget went back into the consolidated fund. By uncapping the National Health Insurance we’ve been able to give the insurance fund more than 3.5 billion cedis more. And so this has enabled the health insurance fund that puts up the funding for our partnership with GAVI to be able to front load $20 million for our co- finance partnership with GAVI this year.” President Mahama said.
President Mahama made this assertions during GAVI the Vaccine Alliance Global Summit: Health and Prosperity through Immunisation held in Brussels, Belgium.
President Mahama expressed deeply appreciation to GAVI for saving many children in Ghana and beyond through Immunisation coverage.
“On behalf of the children of Ghana, I want to say thank you to GAVI. We appreciate and we’re proud of your partnership, but more so to say thank you to the countries that have just made significant pledges to the replenishment of GAVI.” President Mahama stressed.
