Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday became the world's first recipient of the coronavirus vaccine from COVAX, a global scheme to procure and distribute inoculations for free for poorer countries, AFP reported.

"It is important that I set the example that this vaccine is safe by being the first to have it, so that everybody in Ghana can feel comfortable about taking this vaccine," the 76-year old president said before receiving a shot of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in a live broadcast.

(With input from AFP)