Religious leaders have been urged to encourage their congregants to participate in the ongoing COVID-19 mass vaccination exercise by the Ghana Health Service and its partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Ashanti Regional Director of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, says the clergy have the responsibility to protect members, hence the need to get involved.

The region has achieved 48% of its targeted 70% for full vaccination.

“If we want to prevent COVID-19, then we have to attain a coverage of 70 percent, but the coverage is low in the Ashanti Region because of COVID hesitancy.

“Now the health officers are all over to get people vaccinated but people are not willing to take the vaccination. That is why we have called on the clergy to spread the campaign in their churches and mosques,” said Dr. Tinkorang.

UNICEF representative, Charity Nikoi also encouraged the clergy to motivate members in adhering to the necessary safety protocols.

“There is a need for the public immunization campaign during this Christmas festivity as there is always a hike in numbers of affected persons after the festive season,” she observed.

The GHS and UNICEF are on a 5-day Covid-19 vaccination sensitization exercise.

Rev. Emmanuel Addo, who represented the clergy, indicated their willingness to participate in the sensitization campaign to reach the 70% target.

“We would be willing to support this campaign and also encourage our members to also partake in this exercise,” he indicated.