Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana Daniel Sackey has announced that the African banking conglomerate is set to launch a Zero Malaria Business Leaders Initiative (ZMBLI) in the country.

Speaking at the World Malaria Day press briefing on Wednesday, Mr Sackey explained that the initiative which will make Ghana the fourth in Africa is to fully mobilise the private sector to support the effort to eliminate malaria.

He acknowledged that eliminating the deadly illness will increase prosperity in Africa in the long term since it costs the continent about $12 billion annually, thus, the need to prioritise such an action.

“Ecobank is an institution that is keen on impacting positively on the health of people living in communities in which they operate. We are, therefore, delighted to announce our plans to launch Zero Malaria Business Leaders Initiative.

“The initiative aims to promote the mobilization of resources from the private sector in order to sustainably finace the fight against malaria and leverage the skills and influence of private sector leaders,” he stated.

The Director also commended the National Malaria Control Programme and the Health Ministry for implementing initiatives to completely rid the country of the disease.

“As we commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day, we pledge our unwavering support to the programme. We wish to call on other orivate sector institutions to join this worthy fight,” he said.