The Greater Accra Regional Director of Health, Dr Robert Ameyisah, has called for intensified malaria interventions and stronger community engagement to fast-track the elimination of the disease in the country.
He said while Ghana had made strides in the fight against malaria, achieving elimination would require discipline, commitment and collective action from all citizens.
“We must prioritise the elimination of malaria by intensifying the interventions already in place. Engaging our communities is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the elimination agenda,” he stated.
Dr Ameyisah was delivering the keynote address at the 2026 World Malaria Day celebration organised by Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), at the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly in Accra last Monday.
The event was on the theme: “Driven to end malaria: Now we can! Now we must!”
Shared responsibility
Dr Ameyisah emphasised that the fight against malaria must be a shared responsibility, with individuals, families and institutions playing active roles in prevention and control.
He noted that although the path to elimination would not be easy, it was achievable with sustained effort and commitment.
“Eliminating malaria will not come on a silver platter, but it is possible.
Ghana has successfully tackled diseases such as polio in the past, and malaria will not be an exception if we take the fight seriously,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the public to adhere to preventive measures such as keeping surroundings clean and sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
As part of the event, residents were taken through free malaria testing and other basic health checks by nurses from the La Nkwantanang CHPS compound.
Nurses at the facility also carried out practical demonstrations on malaria prevention and proper healthcare practices, including the correct use of insecticide-treated nets and the importance of early testing and treatment.
The exercise formed part of efforts to deepen public awareness and encourage behavioural change at the community level.
HFFG impact
A representative of HFFG, Gladys Damalin, reflecting on the organisation’s 25 years of community impact, said the organisation had remained steadfast in its mission to protect society.
She said since its inception, HFFG had worked tirelessly to drive change in communities through health interventions, advocacy and education.
“Our mission is to facilitate and improve the health, education and socio-economic status of women, children and young people through empowerment, rights-based approaches, as well as innovative and acceptable participatory strategies,” she said.
Ms Damalin reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at eliminating malaria.
Commitment renewed
The event brought together health officials, stakeholders and community members to renew their commitment to ending malaria, with a focus on sustained collaboration, behavioural change and the effective implementation of interventions.
Participants were urged to take personal responsibility and support national strategies to ensure the successful elimination of malaria in the country.
Source:
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