Religious leaders in the Ashanti Region have pledged support for the mass Covid-19 vaccination exercise ahead the festivities.

The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate part of measures to prevent Covid-19 infections from increasing in Ashanti Region during the Christmas season, have met the various religious leaders in the region on 15th December, 2022, and discussions on how to extend Covid-19 vaccination coverage have been held during the 5th Covid-19 vaccination week.

According to the Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, the meeting was very necessary to partner the clergy to be able to motivate their congregation on the need to go for the jab and observe the various health protocols during the yuletide.

Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang explained that the region needs 70% of the total population vaccinated to achieve a herd immunity.

He stated that despite the headway made in terms of the percentage of the fully vaccinated, the significant number of people who are still hesitant about the covid vaccination is worrying.

He appealed to the clergy to urge their congregations to avail themselves for the Covid-19 vaccination in order to protect others from contracting the virus.

Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang further noted that there is the possibility of an increase in the Covid-19 cases during the Christmas festivities and called on Ghanaians to adhere to the preventive measures including getting fully vaccinated.

Mrs. Charity Nii-Quaye, Officer in charge of Social and Behavior Change at the UNICEF said, they will continue to support Ghana Heath Service especially in the Ashanti Region in any possible way to curb the virus.

She said, observing theCovid-19 safety protocols is very important to reduce the virus but being vaccinated is more important which need to adhered to.

Mrs Nii-Quaye then urged every Ghanaian to take advantage of this 5-days vaccination exercise and get vaccinated including the booster.

The religious leaders who were present also took it as a matter of urgency as they pledged to support the exercise by going to talk to their members who are yet to take or complete their vacation.

The exercise which has already started on the 14th December, will end on the 18th December, 2022.

Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region.