By Rachel Kakraba
Ghana is set to launch the End Malaria Council, a high-level body aimed at driving domestic resource mobilisation, corporate contributions, parliamentary appropriations, philanthropic investments and innovative financing into a coordinated, transparent and accountable programme. This forms part of the country’s renewed strategy to accelerate efforts towards malaria elimination.
The Director of Public Health, Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, disclosed this during a durbar held in Accra to mark this year’s World Malaria Day.
Malaria Day awareness walk
The durbar was preceded by an awareness walk through some principal streets of Accra. The exercise brought together health officials, students, civil society groups and members of the public, who carried placards to promote malaria prevention and elimination.
Participants engaged the public on the importance of maintaining clean environments, using insecticide-treated nets and seeking early treatment.
End Malaria Council
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said Ghana is intensifying efforts to eliminate malaria through the establishment of the End Malaria Council, a high-level coordinating body expected to play a pivotal role in aligning resources with national malaria elimination targets, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of funds.
“Ghana is working towards the imminent launch of the End Malaria Council, a high-level body that will formally unite government, the private sector, traditional authorities, faith leaders, civil society and partners under one accountable framework, with one mandate to drive financing, political commitment and cross-sector coordination,” he said.
He added that the council would create a formal mechanism for domestic resource mobilisation, corporate contributions, parliamentary appropriations, philanthropic investments and innovative financing to flow into a coordinated and accountable programme.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said the initiative, which is a multi-sectoral effort, has the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama, and called on all stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to support it.
“To the private sector here today, the End Malaria Council is our platform to develop as partners. It is Ghana’s signal that we are building sustainable investment. We invite everyone here to be part of this effort,” he said.
Ghana’s renewed commitment to end malaria
The World Health Organization Country Representative, Fiona Braka, expressed concern that malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives across Africa, particularly among children.
She, however, noted that many African countries, including Ghana, are demonstrating renewed commitment to tackling the disease through stronger leadership, increased domestic investment and innovative approaches.
“In 2024 alone, nearly 95% of the 600,000 lives lost were in Africa. Three-quarters of those deaths were among young children. These preventable deaths remind us why progress cannot wait,” she said.
Dr Braka added that malaria response is entering a new phase shaped by country ownership, smarter data use, stronger community engagement and new tools.
She outlined five priority areas: strong national ownership, data-driven decision-making, accelerated innovation, strengthened primary healthcare systems and a whole-of-society approach.
Calls for concerted action
The Greater Accra Regional Health Director, Robert Amesiya, said malaria elimination remains a challenge despite progress.
He cited poor environmental sanitation, low use of insecticide-treated nets and delays in seeking care as key issues.
“If you are in a household or community, take ownership of your environment. Traditional and religious leaders must also use their influence to promote malaria prevention,” he said.
He urged healthcare workers to maintain high standards, particularly in testing and treatment.
Renowned media personality and malaria champion, Gifty Anti, said malaria elimination requires collective effort, stressing that every life lost to the disease is unacceptable.
