By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region recorded an increase in malaria cases last year compared to 2024.
Health authorities in the district have attributed the situation to unregulated gold mining activities, commonly known as ‘galamsey’, which have left many abandoned pits serving as breeding grounds for infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
The District Director of Health, Bernard Badu Bediako, disclosed that more than 38,000 malaria cases were recorded at health facilities in Amansie West last year, compared to about 36,000 in 2024.
He spoke in an interview on the sidelines of a health screening exercise at Manso Abore in the Amansie West District, held to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day.
The Amansie area has gained notoriety for illegal mining activities, often leading to attempts by youth to forcibly enter legally owned mining concessions, resulting in violent clashes, deaths and injuries in recent times.
A common feature of these activities is the presence of abandoned mining pits across communities, which health authorities say are a major driver of malaria cases in the district.
They explained that these open pits create favourable breeding conditions for infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit the malaria parasite.
“You will realise that we are in a mining area, and a lot of mining activities are ongoing. After mining, the pits are not covered. So we are promoting responsible mining, where pits are properly reclaimed after use,” Mr Bediako said.
Statistics from the District Health Directorate show an increase in malaria cases recorded at outpatient departments (OPD) and among children under five. However, cases among pregnant women declined from 60 in 2024 to 15 last year.
Despite the challenges posed by open galamsey pits and human behaviour, Mr Bediako expressed optimism that malaria can be eliminated through coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.
He also commended partners of the District Health Directorate for their support.
“We want to thank Asanko Gold Ghana Limited. They have been very supportive. Over the past two years, they have helped us commemorate the Day, and this year as well, they have supported us. We are very grateful to them, as well as the District Chief Executive, the Amansie West District Assembly, and all health workers, especially midwives, for helping to reduce malaria in pregnancy,” he said.
The free health screening exercise, which included rapid diagnostic testing and treatment for malaria, was organised to mark World Malaria Day in the district.
The event, funded by Asanko Gold, brought mobile health services closer to residents who might otherwise face challenges such as distance, cost and time in accessing healthcare. Beneficiaries also received screening and treatment for other conditions, including hypertension and blood sugar levels.
The company has also distributed more than 2,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to Senior High School students in the district as part of its outreach efforts.
The Sustainability Manager of Asanko Gold, Dr Isaac Kwakye, said the company remains committed to supporting efforts to combat malaria.
“The motivation for Asanko is that when you live in a community, the health of the people must be a priority. Many of our workers also live in these communities, and when they are healthy, it supports productivity. We are supporting awareness creation and interventions to help reduce malaria,” he said.
This year’s World Malaria Day was marked on the theme: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must.”
