Ghana has made significant progress in its fight against malaria, reporting a 97 percent reduction in malaria-related deaths between 2014 and 2024. The announcement was made by the country’s Health Minister, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during World Malaria Day celebrations in Accra.
According to the Minister, in 2024 alone, the country saw a 51 percent decline in malaria-related deaths, a 36 percent reduction in malaria cases among children under five, and a noticeable drop in both malaria admissions and outpatient visits. This positive trend aligns with Ghana’s National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023-2028), aiming to eliminate malaria by 2028.
Mr. Akandoh, who was represented by Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), stressed that despite these reductions, the country must intensify its efforts to completely eliminate malaria. He called on Ghanaians to take ownership of the malaria elimination strategy through greater resource allocation, cross-sectoral integration, and community-driven behavior change.
“The path to a malaria-free Ghana is one that requires collaboration across all sectors, from urban planning to resource management and education,” Mr. Akandoh emphasized.
Key interventions in the country’s malaria strategy include indoor residual spraying and the distribution of insecticide-treated nets. Ghana’s GHS has focused efforts on distributing these nets, with over 19 million nets distributed during the recent mass malaria campaign.
Professor Akoriyea provided additional details on the progress of malaria control initiatives, revealing that Ghana achieved 53 percent coverage for indoor residual spraying in 2023. Additionally, seasonal malaria chemoprevention reached over 1.9 million children across multiple regions, including Upper East, North-East, Northern, and Oti.
Despite these successes, Professor Akoriyea pointed to challenges, including low utilization rates of mosquito nets and gaps in IRS coverage, highlighting the need for continued effort and greater public engagement in malaria prevention.
Dr. Sally-Ann Ohene, Officer-in-Charge of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ghana, urged the country to increase domestic funding for malaria control efforts and ensure that all stakeholders are engaged in the fight.
National Malaria Champion Oheneyere Gifty Anti commended all stakeholders for their collective efforts, while also urging the public to remain vigilant in supporting malaria prevention and treatment programs.
Nii Ashitey Akomfra Gbetsoolo III, the Paramount Chief of Teshie, who chaired the event, emphasized the importance of community involvement in achieving a malaria-free Ghana. He called on citizens to become ambassadors in the fight against malaria to ensure the country reaches its goal of malaria elimination by 2028.
Ghana’s ongoing efforts to reduce malaria-related deaths and cases are a testament to its commitment to eliminating the disease. As the country continues to implement its strategic malaria control plan, it remains on track to become a malaria-free nation in the coming years.