Reaching Every Child in Ghana: A school-based strategy for routine immunization
September 9th, 2024 | story
A healthcare worker (left, in red) administering a vaccine to a child at a crèche in Ashaiman, Ghana. Credit: JSI
This is an excerpt from a story published on Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance‘s website. Read the full piece.
By Richard Adupong
For years, Andaratu Abubakar has been dedicated to nurturing the well-being of children in Ghana. Although she initially dreamed of becoming a nurse, life’s twists and turns led her down a different path – one that would ultimately fulfill her passion for health education.
After graduating from senior high school, Abubakar enrolled in a teacher training college. Upon completing her studies, she was assigned to a school where her commitment quickly became evident. “I used to organise sessions for girls, educating them on menstrual and personal hygiene,” she recalls.
Her impactful work earned her the role of health teacher, and this position, along with subsequent assignments, ignited a deep passion for promoting health among students.
I talk to the children to help them achieve their goals in life. Some of the girls, even those facing issues at home, share their concerns with me, and together, we find solutions.”
—Andaratu Abubaka, Assistant Head Teacher, Police Barracks Basic Model School, Tamale, Northern Ghana
