Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd. recently embarked on a Malaria Elimination Campaign to commemorate the World Malaria Day, a day set aside by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight the need for continued efforts and commitment to the prevention and control of Malaria around the world.

Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd., has since 2007, carried out annual Malaria elimination awareness campaigns in local communities across the country with a primary focus on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and school children. This is in line with the company’s plan to invest in local communities in the area of health and education among others.

This year’s programme spanned a three-day period during which the company, in partnership with health officials from the Tarkwa Government Hospital (Apinto), educated students from the Dadwene School Complex, Tarkwa Methodist School and Tamso Anglican School. Over 1,000 school children and teachers from the selected schools took part in various exercises including sketches, quizzes and poetry recitals.

These brought to bear, the consequences of the disease, the importance of keeping basic hygienic practices and most importantly, employing the various preventive measures to fight Malaria in the communities. Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd. also engaged pregnant women at the Maternity ward of Tarkwa Government Hospital (Apinto) where a donation of anti-Malaria items were also made to augment government efforts.

Speaking on the three-day event, Charlotte Someah-Kwaw, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer of Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd., underscored the need for sustained education and sensitization of the populace on malaria prevention.

According to her, “Total Petroleum as a business entity has always put the health needs of the public at the core of its operations.” “For us, malaria prevention is a fight not to be left for government alone but all well-meaning individuals and corporate entities committed to the health needs of the country must help contribute” she added.         

In all, a total of 5000 insecticide treated mosquito nets and 300 Total insecticide sprays were distributed to 1100 school children, 400 pregnant women, 500 employees and workers and 3000 customers throughout the Total retail network nationwide.

According to the Malaria Fact Sheets of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Malaria burden is huge globally with about 90% of cases in sub- Saharan Africa.

Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd.’s campaign goal syncs with the theme for this year’s World Malaria Day which is ‘Ready To Beat Malaria’. The goal also ties in with Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals which is “Good Health and well-being.”