The Ghana National PolioPlus Committee (GNPPC), in collaboration with its Polio Partners, on Friday, October 24, 2025, unveiled a giant “End Polio Now” billboard in Accra to draw global attention to the ongoing fight against poliomyelitis. The unveiling formed part of activities marking World Polio Day, observed annually on October 24, to renew global commitment to eradicate the disease.
The ceremony was led by the Chair of the GNPPC, Past Assistant Governor Gertrude Adzo Akpalu and was attended by members of the GNPPC, the Rotary District 9104 Governor Nana Yaa Siriboe, Past Assistant Governors, Assistant Governors, Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors.
This year’s commemoration, themed “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere,” calls for collective efforts to ensure that no child is left unprotected, regardless of location or circumstance.
Although Ghana has achieved about 99 per cent eradication of the disease after being declared polio-free years ago, isolated cases caused by vaccine-derived variants remain a concern, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
Also joining the unveiling ceremony were Dr Raymond Dankoli, Coordinator of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and Prof John Kofi Odoom, a virologist at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
Participants, wearing “End Polio Now” T-shirts, posed for photographs and chanted in unison, “Polio at one place, polio everywhere.” They also carried placards bearing messages such as “Make History Today,” “Thank You for Helping to Eradicate Polio,” and “I Want To/Will End Polio,” serving as a reminder of the need to eliminate all traces of the virus, including vaccine-derived strains.
District Governor Siriboe commended Rotarians, partners, and volunteers for their dedication to ensuring vaccination reaches every child, reaffirming Rotary’s global commitment to ending the disease. “Thank you all for helping eradicate polio,” she said.
Prof Odoom, in a media interaction, stressed the importance of continued surveillance to detect and respond swiftly to any emerging variants, particularly in unsanitary environments.
Some clubs in Ghana, including the Rotary Club of Accra-East, Accra Airport, Accra Ridge, Accra Legon East, among others, were also honoured with certificates for contributing financially to the global polio eradication effort.
Polio is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted mainly through the faecal-oral route, often via contaminated food, water, or hands. It can also spread through respiratory droplets, although less commonly. Infected individuals may spread the virus even without showing symptoms.
The disease, which has no cure, can cause paralysis and, in severe cases, death if it affects the parts of the brain that control breathing. Vaccination remains the most effective means of prevention. Wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan—as the world continues to push toward total eradication.
The event was attended by representatives from partner organizations, including the Ghana Health Service, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, healthcare workers, First Bank Ghana, representatives from collaborating municipal health directorates and assemblies, the Indian High Commission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Help My Cause Foundation (persons living with disabilities), the media, uniformed services, civil society organizations (Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health), and the general public.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
