The United States, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is joining forces with the National Malaria Control Program and other malaria partners to celebrate what they describe as “encouraging results achieved in the last 10years.” 

From 2011 to 2016, malaria prevalence in children under five decreased nationally by 8% and from 2014, malaria deaths nationwide have decreased by 73%.

As the world celebrates World Malaria Day with the theme “Zero malaria starts with me,” the U.S. government believes must efforts must be stepped up to fight the disease to ensure that Ghana reaches the noble and ambitious objective of “zero malaria deaths”.

PMI has partnered with Ghana to fight malaria since 2008, funding core malaria interventions and providing valuable technical and operational assistance to reinforce and amplify Ghana’s efforts to end this deadly, yet entirely preventable disease.

In FY 2018, PMI invested $28 million in Ghana and has provided over $277 million in support to Ghana since it began.

“We know fighting malaria is a smart investment to protect health, create opportunity, and foster growth and security in Ghana and worldwide.

“And we know fighting malaria together makes us more effective and achieves greater impact than any of us could alone,” said Janean Davis, USAID Ghana Health Team Lead.

With the health ministry and national malaria program in the lead and in close collaboration with local communities, donors, multilateral organizations, faith groups, the private sector, research and academic institutions, and many others PMI has supported significant improvements in the coverage and impact of proven, cost-effective malaria interventions in Ghana.

“PMI shows what is possible when we work together, empowering countries to lead the way to zero malaria,” said U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator Dr. Kenneth Staley.

“Looking forward, we are excited to expand coverage of lifesaving interventions, introduce innovations, and revolutionize our data environment to secure our shared vision for a world without malaria.”