Ghana has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against malaria, reducing malaria-related deaths by over 97% between 2014 and 2024.
Alongside this major achievement, cases recorded at outpatient departments (OPD) have seen a 3% decline, while hospital admissions due to malaria have dropped by 17%.
Speaking at the 2025 World Malaria Day commemoration, Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighted the countrys progress and future goals under the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023–2028). In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Minister revealed that the plan aims to further reduce malaria deaths by 51% and achieve a 36% decline in under-five malaria case fatality rates by 2024, using 2022 as the baseline. He also emphasized the plan to steadily roll out malaria vaccines with over 70% coverage for the first dose.
“We will continue to expand effective interventions such as indoor residual spraying, insecticide-treated nets distribution, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnancy, case management, malaria vaccines, and other new interventions,” the Minister stated.
He called on all Ghanaians to sustain the momentum by taking action in homes, schools, and communities. “Let us ensure that every Ghanaian, young or old, understands that malaria elimination begins with us. Together, with commitment, knowledge, and collective action, we can, and we will make history,” he urged.
World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise awareness about global efforts to combat and eventually eradicate malaria. The 2025 celebration, themed “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” aims to energize efforts at all levels — from policymaking to grassroots action — to accelerate the path towards malaria elimination.
As part of the celebration, Holy Child R/C Basic School from Tema West emerged victorious in this years malaria quiz competition, winning tablets, projectors, and other prizes.
Addressing the gathering, the Director of Public Health at GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, attributed the progress to the dedication of health workers, policymakers, partners, and communities. “Our investment in data-driven planning, targeted interventions and community mobilisation is clearly yielding results,” he said.
Providing updates on the countrys malaria control efforts, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted that the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign had been successfully conducted across 28 districts, achieving a coverage rate of 53% through strong collaboration and field coordination.
He further mentioned that over 19 million insecticide-treated nets were distributed during the recent mass campaign. In the 21 districts selected for malaria elimination efforts, malaria positivity rates dropped from 20.9% to 16%, with these districts now serving as examples of how leadership, community ownership, and smart interventions can drive success.
“The Government of Ghana demonstrated its continued commitment to malaria elimination by directly supporting the implementation in two of these districts. This is a testament to the power of partnership and national ownership in driving progress towards a malaria-free Ghana,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe concluded.
