Tarkwa: The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), in collaboration with the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assemblies and their respective Municipal Health Directorates, commemorated the 2026 World Malaria Day by organizing a community forum.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event gathered various stakeholders including community members, queen mothers, assembly members, unit committee members, and Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) committee members. School children from the Mines host communities also participated to learn about malaria prevention strategies.
The theme for this year's celebration was 'Drive to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.' Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, the Executive Secretary of GFGF, noted that Gold Fields had allocated GHS320,000.00 for the celebration and related activities. The foundation plans to utilize radio programs to raise awareness, followed by donations and educational sessions to emphasize the seriousness of malaria.
Mr. Yakubu highlighted the importance of educating residents about the dangers of malaria, stating that it is a deadly condition that should not be ignored. Additionally, the foundation has provided weed slashes to WATSAN Committees to assist in clearing overgrown areas as part of communal efforts to combat malaria.
Mrs. Wilhemina Tiwaah Duah Morttey, the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Health Director, emphasized the collaboration between the Ghana Health Service, the Municipal Health Directorate, and GFGF in public sensitization efforts. She noted that the introduction of environmental management, including lava source control, into their awareness campaigns marked a significant development in their strategy to eliminate malaria.
Mrs. Morttey encouraged citizens to maintain clean environments to prevent mosquito breeding, stressing the importance of controlling the vector to interrupt the transmission cycle. She expressed gratitude to the GFGF for its ongoing support in the fight against malaria.