Prof Fred Binka, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences
A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof Fred Binka, has stated that Ghana has the potential to eliminate malaria with the right resources and commitment.
According to Prof Binka, the main challenge facing Ghana’s malaria elimination efforts is the lack of financial resources to procure necessary commodities and implement the national malaria elimination plan.
“The main challenge facing Ghana’s malaria elimination efforts is the lack of financial resources to procure necessary commodities and implement the national malaria elimination plan,” he said.
He stressed the need to decentralise malaria interventions to the district levels, allowing for more targeted and effective efforts.
According to a Ghanaian Times report on April 25, 2025, Prof Binka highlighted the importance of community engagements and participation in Ghana’s malaria elimination efforts, urging individuals to contribute by sleeping under treated mosquito nets and seeking prompt treatment when symptoms arise.
Speaking on the theme of the 2025 World Malaria Day celebration, ‘Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, reignite,’ Prof Binka said it was a clarion call to refocus on malaria and commit resources to eliminate the disease.
“With the right resources and commitment, Ghana can join the ranks of countries that have successfully eliminated malaria,” he indicated.
His remarks come as Ghana pursues its National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan 2024-2028, aiming to reduce malaria deaths by 100% and cases by 50% by 2028.
Ghana has made significant progress in reducing malaria deaths and parasite prevalence in recent years, and Prof Binka believes that with the right resources, the country can join the ranks of those that have successfully eliminated the disease.
Ghana has, meanwhile, made significant progress regarding malaria control over the years.
For instance, deaths due to malaria have reduced from 2,799 in 2012 to 151 in 2022. Malaria prevalence has also declined from 27.5% in 2011 to 8.6% in 2022 while confirmed malaria cases per 1000 population has reduced from 192 in 2019 to 159 per 1000 in 2020.
Despite these achievements, malaria remains a significant public health problem in Ghana
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