Ghana today officially welcomed Dr. Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for a two-day working visit aimed at deepening collaboration on immunization and health systems strengthening.

Dr. Nishtar was received at Kotoka International Airport by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. She was later warmly welcomed at her hotel by key Gavi Alliance partners, including representatives from the World Health Organization Ghana and UNICEF Ghana.

During her stay, Dr. Nishtar is scheduled to meet with the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, as well as the Ministers of Health and Finance. She will also hold discussions with Gavi implementing partners and other key stakeholders involved in Ghana’s immunization landscape.

A key highlight of her visit includes a field trip to Gomoa East in the Central Region, where she will observe a routine immunization session at selected health facilities. The visit will spotlight innovative approaches to vaccine delivery in Ghana, such as biometric verification, digital microplanning, and Zipline’s drone-based logistics.

The objectives of Dr. Nishtar’s visit are to:

• Strengthen strategic partnerships between Gavi and the Government of Ghana, particularly in the context of Ghana's Accelerated Transition;

• Reinforce Gavi’s commitment to Ghana’s immunization financing, digital health innovation, and delivery systems;

• Promote dialogue on local vaccine production through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA);

• Foster multi-stakeholder collaboration with development partners and the private sector in support of sustainable immunization initiatives.

The visit underscores Gavi’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ghana’s health priorities and advancing equitable access to vaccines through innovation and collaboration.

Dr. Nishtar’s engagements are expected to further enhance Ghana’s progress toward sustainable, locally led immunization systems.

Credit: Ghana Health Service