Accra: Ghana has renewed its commitment to eliminating malaria, with health authorities and partners calling for urgent, coordinated action.
According to Ghana News Agency, the renewed push, under the theme, 'Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,' comes as the country records significant declines in infections and deaths but faces persistent structural and environmental challenges. Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), emphasized that Ghana now has the tools, science, and capacity to eradicate malaria, warning that delays would cost lives and livelihoods. This statement was delivered on his behalf by Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health, GHS, at a durbar in Accra to mark World Malaria Day 2026.
Ghana has made remarkable progress, reducing malaria prevalence from 27.5 percent in 2011 to 8.6 percent in 2022, while deaths have fallen from 3,259 to 52 in 2025, representing a 98 percent decline. Child fatality rates have dropped by 76 percent. Two vaccines, RTS,S and R21, are being deployed, with first-dose coverage reaching 78.3 percent. Dr. Akoriyea attributed the progress to sustained efforts by health workers, community engagement, partner support, and improved household prevention practices.
He underscored malaria elimination as a national development priority, noting that the disease continues to cost Ghana an estimated 427.7 million dollars annually in lost productivity, despite strong returns on investment in control measures. To sustain gains, Dr. Akoriyea announced the launch of the End Malaria Council, a multi-sector platform to mobilize domestic resources and coordinate action across government, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.
He also highlighted the Government's Free Primary Health Care policy as key to improving early diagnosis and strengthening disease surveillance. Dr. Akoriyea called for increased public funding, stronger private sector participation, and sustained community action, urging citizens to use insecticide-treated nets, vaccinate children, maintain clean environments, and seek prompt testing and treatment. He noted that success would depend on sustained national commitment, saying 'Zero malaria starts with me.'
Dr. Fiona Braka, the World Health Organization Country Representative to Ghana, stated that intensified efforts are needed to eliminate malaria as a public health threat, particularly in Africa where the burden remains highest. She highlighted that the disease continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year, mostly among young children. 'In 2024, nearly 95 percent of the 600,000 global malaria deaths occurred in Africa, with three-quarters among children,' she said, describing the deaths as preventable.
Dr. Braka mentioned that progress in countries such as Ghana shows that elimination is achievable through stronger political commitment, increased domestic investment, and the adoption of innovative tools. She cited the rollout of malaria vaccines in 25 countries, including Ghana, which are expected to protect about 10 million children annually, alongside the use of improved mosquito nets and digital technologies for outbreak response. However, she warned of ongoing challenges, including insecticide and drug resistance, climate variability, and funding gaps, and called for sustained investment, stronger national ownership, and data-driven strategies.
Dr. Robert Amesiya, Greater Accra Regional Health Director, also urged stakeholders to intensify efforts and emphasized the importance of community-level action. He called on households to improve environmental sanitation while urging traditional and religious leaders to promote preventive practices. Health workers, Dr. Amesiya said, must ensure testing before treatment and proper follow-up of cases. He stated that municipal and district assemblies must enforce sanitation by-laws, while non-governmental organizations and civil society groups should continue supporting national malaria control efforts.
The event was preceded by a health walk involving health workers, traditional leaders, students, government officials, and community volunteers, highlighting what organizers described as a shared national responsibility to end malaria.