Ghana is still recording high numbers of malaria cases at the OPD's despite gains made in the fight against the virus. Last year alone over five million cases were recorded nationwide, with 308 deaths.

Announcing governments plan to scale up interventions to achieve its zero deaths target in 2030 Programmes manager of the National Malaria Control Programme Dr Keziah Malm said their strategy is to intensify sensitisation drives especially in rural areas.

"Ghana currently is still in the control phase, we are scaling up our interventions to reduced morbidity and mortality rates, last year we recorded 308 deaths, we will continue to work to ensure that by 2025 we are near zero deaths and we have halved diseases recorded in our outpatient's department across the country," she said.

It’s been two years since the Programme began vaccinating children up to five years against malaria in some selected regions.

The jabs, known as RTS's is the world's first malaria vaccine shown to provide partial protection against malaria in children.

Dr Keziah Malm said about 70 percent of children who were targeted in the Central, Volta, Upper East Region and parts of the Bono Region have received their first dose as of December 2020.

"The vaccination programme is outgoing and so far we have reached 70 per cent of the number of children targeted and we will continue to work on increasing advocacy to encourage more parents to allow their children to be vaccinated."

To help push its sensitisation drive the Board unveiled journalist Gifty Naana Dansoa Nti as the face of the campaign.

"It’s a tough job but I thank God I have the goodwill and definitely I’m not going to be doing this alone, I'm ready to learn and with the knowledge acquired, we will sensitize the public and I believe we will make the necessary impact," She said.

Expressing confidence in their decision National Malaria Advocacy Committee chairperson Norkor Duah said there is a need for government and the private sector to work together if the country must achieve Zero Malaria Deaths by 2030.