Health-sector stakeholders in Ghana have urged the government to increase domestic financing for immunisation interventions ahead of the country's planned exit from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) in 2030. The stakeholders, comprising academia, government, civil society, and development partners, expressed concern that waiting until the transition deadline to assume full responsibility for vaccines and immunisation programmes could undermine gains made in child health. Ghana's health budget has averaged between six and 11 per cent of the national budget, below the 15 per cent target under the Abuja Declaration.
The stakeholders made the call in a position statement issued after a multi-stakeholder academic symposium on sustainable financing for primary healthcare (PHC) in Ghana. The symposium, organised by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), in partnership with Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), sought to generate practical recommendations to ensure sustainable financing for PHC and immunisation. The country is currently in the "Accelerated Transition Phase" of its exit from GAVI support and is expected to complete the transition by January 2030.
With less than four years to the deadline, stakeholders expressed concern about Ghana's preparedness to fully finance vaccines and immunisation interventions, citing gaps in the current transition plans. The Country Coordinator of the GHAI, Stephen Atasige, noted that there is currently no clear budget for vaccine procurement, making it difficult for Parliament to track how much is going into vaccines and immunisation operations. He urged the government to accelerate domestic resource mobilisation and prioritise health spending to sustain gains made in immunisation.
Mr Atasige called on the government to explicitly embed immunisation financing within the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) framework and establish clear budget lines for vaccine and commodity procurement. He proposed that a portion of excise tax revenue from tobacco and alcohol, as well as royalties from the mining and petroleum sectors, be earmarked for primary healthcare and immunisation. Additionally, he suggested a uniformed salary-based National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) premium contribution for formal-sector workers.
The Executive Director of HFFG, Cecilia Senoo, emphasised that immunisation and vaccine procurement are essential components of preventive and promotive healthcare. She urged the government to pay critical attention to sustaining vaccine and immunisation interventions as it pursues the FPHC policy. Senoo noted that Ghana cannot attain Sustainable Development Goal 3 without sustaining primary healthcare.
Mr Atasige also urged the government to accelerate local manufacturing and regional procurement through the National Vaccine Institute to reduce dependence on external financing and strengthen the country's preparedness. He proposed alternative financing mechanisms, including an airline-ticket solidarity levy, health bonds, and vaccine bonds. The stakeholders' recommendations aim to ensure sustainable financing for PHC and immunisation in Ghana.
The government's ability to implement these recommendations will be crucial in sustaining gains made in immunisation and ensuring that Ghana is prepared to fully finance vaccines and immunisation interventions by 2030. The country's exit from GAVI support requires a well-planned transition to maintain progress in child health and achieve long-term sustainability in immunisation programmes.
Key points
- Ghana's health budget has averaged between six and 11 per cent of the national budget, below the 15 per cent target under the Abuja Declaration.
- The country is expected to complete its transition from GAVI support by January 2030.
- Stakeholders have proposed alternative financing mechanisms, including an airline-ticket solidarity levy, health bonds, and vaccine bonds.
