The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that Ghana’s Western Region accounts for more than half of all Mpox cases nationwide, underscoring the urgency of ongoing public health interventions in the region.

In response, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with WHO and other health partners, has officially launched the national Mpox vaccination campaign in Takoradi — a major step forward in the country’s fight against the viral disease.

Ahead of the launch, officials from WHO and GHS paid a courtesy call on Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nelson, to brief him on the progress of interventions and to seek continued regional support for the vaccination rollout.

Health authorities noted that interventions — including surveillance, contact tracing, and community education — have been underway for several months, but the introduction of vaccines marks a new phase in Ghana’s Mpox response strategy aimed at breaking transmission chains and protecting high-risk populations.

The WHO emphasised that the vaccination campaign will prioritise affected districts in the Western Region while expanding nationwide in the coming months to strengthen immunity and prevent further spread.

The launch reflects Ghana’s commitment to evidence-based public health action and close collaboration with global health partners to safeguard lives and strengthen epidemic preparedness.