Malaria-related deaths in Ghana have significantly decreased from 2,799 in 2012 to 146 in 2023, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to combat the disease. However, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) maintains that malaria remains a significant public health threat, and it is committed to achieving zero malaria mortality by 2028. This goal was emphasized by Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Director of Public Health at the GHS, during a two-day malaria training programme for journalists in Accra.
The training session, organized by the National Malaria Elimination Programme of the GHS, aimed to update 58 journalists from eight regions in the southern zone on the progress of the national malaria elimination agenda. It also sought to guide the journalists in identifying their roles in supporting this agenda and to revamp the National Malaria Media Coalition for more effective malaria advocacy. A similar training session is planned for journalists in the northern zone.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe highlighted the improvements made in malaria testing rates, which have increased from 38 percent in 2012 to 98 percent in 2023. He noted that malaria prevalence has decreased from 27 percent in 2011 to 8.6 percent in 2022, with a significant reduction in malaria-related deaths. These achievements underscore the effectiveness of interventions such as the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, larvae source management, mass campaigns, and comprehensive case management across all districts.
“Malaria prevalence has decreased from 27 percent in 2011 to 8.6 in 2022, and deaths due to malaria have also decreased significantly.”.
“This consistent reduction in morbidity and mortality assures us all of the effectiveness of our interventions, as well as the hope of elimination with improved and sustained efforts,” he said.
The Director of Public Health praised the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the media, local and international partners, in achieving these milestones. He stressed the importance of equipping journalists with the necessary knowledge and tools to advocate for malaria elimination effectively. Accurate and insightful reporting can play a crucial role in raising public awareness about malaria prevention and treatment options, as well as promoting the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan.
“Delivering accurate and insightful reports can significantly contribute to raising public awareness of malaria prevention and treatment options as well as the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe stated.
“There is still so much untapped media potential critical to the national elimination agenda, and the Ghana Health Service is very ambitious about tapping that potential, which we cannot ignore if we want to be successful,” he added.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe called on the media to intensify their sensitization efforts and acknowledged their significant contributions to the progress made in the fight against malaria. He also appealed to the public to adhere to proven interventions, such as the consistent use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and seeking early diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, he urged the private sector to help bridge funding gaps and other stakeholders to adopt and invest in malaria interventions within their areas.
A representative from the World Health Organisation, Dr. Felicia Owusu-Antwi, commended Ghana for its remarkable progress in malaria control and its bold move towards malaria elimination. She emphasized that advocacy is crucial in the fight against malaria and highlighted the essential role of the media in this effort. Dr. Owusu-Antwi pointed out that informed public decisions on preventive and treatment options are fundamental to the success of the malaria response.
“Advocacy is the bedrock for Malaria response; particularly, it’s about the public making informed decisions on preventive and treatment options,” Dr. Owusu-Antwi said.
