Hohoe, VR: A 33-member malaria advocacy team under the chairmanship of Togbega Gabusu the sixth, Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, was on Tuesday inaugurated for the Hohoe Municipality, with a charge on the members to promote effective programming for malaria control within the catchment area. Mr. Victor Condobrey, the Municipal Chief Executive who did the inauguration, said the assembly must take a lead role in the country in combating malaria infections and thereby help reduce the number of deaths occurring as a result of the disease. He said it was in line with this quest that the assembly intended to double its statutory fund allocated for malaria prevention as a means of scaling up awareness on the issue. The MCE said the assembly will marshal resources within and outside the district to ensure that the project inures tangible dividend to the people. The disease is a major public health concern and the leading cause of ill health in the municipality, with children under five and pregnant women at the greatest risk. Figures from the Municipal Health Directorate indicate that 43, 820 malaria cases were reported at outpatient health facilities in 2007. Mr. Condobrey said the assembly will make available 100 insecticide treated nets for distribution to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children who suffer the worst fatalities when it comes to malaria deaths. The nationwide district malaria advocacy program is being promoted by the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programs ‘Voices for a Malaria-free Future Project’ and the National Malaria Control Program with the intent of using leadership at all levels to influence decisions affecting malaria control activities. At stake are the issues of promoting effective linkage and coordination amongst development partners for malaria programming, as well as tackling the pervasive issue of inadequate knowledge of policy makers on malaria and the resultant low commitment for its eradication. The team will also grapple with improving the distribution of insecticide treated nets which are being promoted as the safest means of reducing vectors in poor communities. Togbega Gabusu said the team will collaborate with relevant stakeholders such as the Ghana Education Service and leaders in both private and public institutions to rouse communal conscience on the implications of the disease for the municipality. Through durbars, contests and other initiatives, the team intends to galvanize the people to appreciate the need for malaria-free families, schools, and work places. Togbega Gabusu said the crusade should not be seen as a political project but a social agenda aimed at reducing the burden of malaria on families. He said members will press onto the goal of making Hohoe and its environs malaria-free communities in the foreseeable future, as the current situation was not comforting. Madam Edith Akpoto, Presiding Member of the HMA, endorsed the use of treated nets and pledged the commitment of the house to work towards spraying the vast paddy rice fields in the area identified as suitable breeding grounds for the deadly vector. In addition, the assembly was to convey a working session with road contractors whose work sites also serve as ideal breeding places as to what they can do to reduce the breeding of the vectors. Mr. Emmanuel Fiagbey, Country Director of the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programs (Voices Ghana Project), expressed satisfaction with the ‘spirited’ response of the assembly for the program. He also commended the assembly members for committing a percentage of their allowance in support of the district malaria fund. END SOURCE: Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programs, Accra.