By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
A symbolic launch event for the Human Papillomavirus Multi-Actor Campaign (HPV-MAC) was held in Bo, marking the beginning of a major public health initiative aimed at increasing awareness of HPV and promoting vaccination among young people to prevent HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer.
The event brought together education authorities, school representatives, health stakeholders, and community members in a unified effort to enhance preventive healthcare for adolescents. As part of the launch, pupils from ten schools across Bo were selected to serve as HPV-MAC student ambassadors. These ambassadors will lead community-level awareness efforts, educating their peers about HPV, encouraging participation in vaccination programs, and engaging in discussions that promote safe and healthy behaviors among youth.
In his keynote address, the Director of Education, Mr. Sahr Gembeh, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in national health initiatives. He noted that empowering young people to serve as advocates not only strengthens peer-to-peer communication but also fosters a culture of responsibility and informed decision-making.
Mr. Gembeh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening school health programs and ensuring that accurate, age-appropriate information on sexual and reproductive health reaches students nationwide. He encouraged the newly appointed ambassadors to take their roles seriously, stressing that their efforts would help reduce HPV-related risks and improve long-term health outcomes.
The launch of the HPV-MAC campaign in Bo is expected to boost community engagement and increase vaccination uptake, laying the groundwork for a broader nationwide effort to protect young people especially girls from preventable diseases.
