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Ghana has made remarkable progress in the fight against malaria, reducing deaths by 98 percent over the past 14 years, according to health officials. This significant achievement has strengthened optimism that malaria elimination in the country is now within reach.
Data from the Ghana Health Service show that malaria-related deaths declined sharply from 3,259 in 2011 to just 52 in 2025. These figures were announced during a durbar in Accra to commemorate World Malaria Day 2026. Officials attributed the progress to sustained investments in prevention, treatment, and disease surveillance.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea highlighted that the country’s success demonstrates the impact of consistent and coordinated public health efforts. He noted a significant reduction in child mortality, with deaths among children dropping by 76 percent over the past three years. He also emphasized the role of new malaria vaccines, such as RTS,S and R21, which have achieved a first-dose coverage rate of 78.3 percent.
The Director of Public Health, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, stated that Ghana now possesses the tools and capacity needed to eliminate malaria. However, he cautioned that progress could slow without sustained urgency, noting that delays in action continue to cost lives and affect livelihoods. He further stressed that malaria control is not only a health priority but also critical to national development. Initiatives such as the planned End Malaria Council and the introduction of free primary health care were highlighted as key strategies to maintain momentum.
At the regional level, Dr Robert Amesiya, Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, called for increased community involvement. He urged households to improve sanitation practices, encouraged traditional and religious leaders to support prevention efforts, and advised health workers to adhere strictly to testing and treatment protocols. He added that efforts would be intensified to protect vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children under five.
The World Health Organization Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, described malaria elimination as an achievable goal rather than a distant aspiration. While acknowledging that Africa still bears the highest burden of the disease, she commended Ghana for its leadership, particularly in the use of vaccines and improved mosquito control strategies. She emphasized the need for strong national leadership, effective use of data, and continued investment in primary health care.
Adding her voice, National Malaria Champion Oheneyere Gifty Anti called for a united national response. She urged policymakers to prioritize malaria funding, encouraged businesses to recognize its impact on productivity, and advised families to adopt preventive measures such as using treated mosquito nets and vaccinating children.
The commemoration began with a health walk through parts of Accra and concluded with a durbar at the University of Ghana, bringing together health professionals, students, traditional authorities, and development partners in a collective effort to support the goal of eliminating malaria in Ghana.
Source: Omanghana.com
