Sign in Subscribe
Disease eradication

Ghana Urges Private Sector to Join Malaria Elimination Efforts

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Ghanaian government, led by the Ministry of Health, is calling on the private sector to partner in the fight against malaria. Health Minister Kwabena Minta Akandoh emphasized the importance of evidence-based interventions and innovative approaches to build on the country's success in reducing malaria cases. He urged companies to incorporate malaria control into their corporate social responsibility initiatives through workplace programs, research sponsorship, and co-financing community interventions. The government's National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023-2028) has already shown promising results, with a 51% decrease in malaria-related deaths and a 36% drop in the under-five malaria case fatality rate compared to 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ghanaian government is urging the private sector to invest in evidence-based interventions and innovative approaches to combat malaria.
  • The private sector has a crucial role to play in malaria elimination, and companies are encouraged to make it a key part of their corporate social responsibility.
  • Ghana's National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023-2028) aims to achieve malaria elimination through a multi-sectoral approach, including city planning, environmental management, and children's education.
  • The plan has resulted in significant progress, with a 51% decrease in malaria-related deaths and a 36% drop in the under-five malaria case fatality rate compared to 2022.
  • The government has committed to expanding malaria vaccination coverage and scaling up interventions, including indoor residual spraying, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, and seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Office in Ghana commends the country's efforts in the malaria fight but warns that the disease remains a leading cause of outpatient attendance and under-five mortality in the country.
  • Dr. Sally Ann Ohene of the WHO Country Office emphasized that ending malaria requires collective effort, citing the Yaounde Declaration signed by 11 African health ministers.

Statistics:

  • 51% decrease in malaria-related deaths compared to 2022 (Source: Ghana Health Service)
  • 36% drop in the under-five malaria case fatality rate compared to 2022 (Source: Ghana Health Service)
  • Over 70% of children in Ghana have received the first dose of the malaria vaccine (Source: Ghana Health Service)
  • Nearly 600,000 lives, mostly young children, are still lost to malaria each year across Africa (Source: World Health Organisation)
  • Climate change, drug and insecticide resistance, the emergence of invasive vectors, urbanization, and funding gaps threaten to reverse progress made in malaria control (Source: World Health Organisation)

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency, 26 April 2025
  • Ghana Health Service
  • World Health Organisation Country Office in Ghana
  • Yaounde Declaration (signed by 11 African health ministers)

Read more