-BY Grace Zigah
Ghana has recorded a historic public health achievement, slashing malaria deaths by over 97% between 2014 and 2024, the Ministry of Health has announced.
The milestone was celebrated during the 2025 World Malaria Day commemorations, shining a light on Ghana’s long-standing efforts to combat the disease that once posed one of the nation’s deadliest health threats.
Speaking at the national event, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh—through the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea—outlined the progress made and the ambitious new targets under the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023–2028).
The plan aims to cut malaria deaths by a further 51% and reduce the under-five case fatality rate by 36% by the end of 2028, using 2022 figures as the baseline.
Ghana’s efforts, authorities say, are rooted in a multi-pronged approach involving vaccines, indoor spraying, mosquito net distribution, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, preventive treatment in pregnancy, improved case management, and enhanced community mobilization.
Akandoh underscored the government’s plan to achieve over 70% coverage for the first dose of the malaria vaccine, considered a game-changer in the global fight against the disease.
“We will continue to expand effective interventions such as indoor residual spraying, insecticide-treated net distribution, and malaria vaccines,” Akandoh said, calling for national unity and sustained commitment under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
The country’s broader progress was highlighted by key indicators: outpatient department (OPD) malaria cases fell by 3%, while hospital admissions due to malaria declined by 17% over the last decade.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the GHS, attributed the success to the dedication of health workers, the government’s commitment, partner support, and data-driven strategies.
He cited that 28 districts benefitted from Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), achieving a 53% coverage rate, while a nationwide campaign distributed over 19 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
More localized success stories were also shared. In 21 districts earmarked for malaria elimination, positivity rates dropped significantly from 20.9% to 16%, setting examples of how strong leadership, targeted interventions, and community ownership can accelerate disease control.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe emphasized that direct government investment in two of these districts underscores a growing national ownership of malaria eradication goals.
Ghana’s battle against malaria dates back decades, marked by incremental victories and setbacks.
Major national campaigns such as the Roll Back Malaria Initiative in the early 2000s and the launch of the first malaria vaccine pilot in 2019 laid the foundation for current successes.
At the World Malaria Day celebration, the Holy Child R/C Basic School from Tema West District won the national malaria quiz competition, symbolizing the crucial role of youth education and awareness in the fight against malaria.
