Uniting Against Malaria: Yinson Ghana and West African Rescue Association/ International SOS Lead the Fight

Yinson Ghana and West African Rescue Association (WARA)/International SOS Ghana have once again partnered with the Ghana Health Service Ahanta West to celebrate World Malaria Day.

This year’s event took place in Agona Nkwanta, located in the Western Region of Ghana. World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25, aims to raise global awareness about malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted through the bites of female anopheles’ mosquitoes.

The day emphasizes the urgent need for sustained investment and action towards malaria prevention and control.

The two-day program, themed “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” was held on April 24 and 25. On the first day, the partners, along with approximately 100 school children, teachers, and community members, marched through the town to raise awareness about malaria.

They distributed flyers on malaria prevention and control, and health personnel provided valuable information to the residents.

In preparation for the celebration, school children were tasked with drawing sketches on malaria. The best students were recognized and awarded on the second day.

The educational session focused on teaching the children about the fundamental aspects of malaria, including its transmission, common signs and symptoms, and the groups most at risk, particularly children under five and pregnant women.

The session also highlighted the global and national burden of the disease, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Significant emphasis was placed on prevention, especially the proper use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, with practical demonstrations reinforcing the training.

The interactive session saw enthusiastic participation from the children, who asked insightful questions and engaged actively in discussions.

To enhance their learning experience, the children received malaria-themed colouring books and stationery, combining fun with education and reinforcing key health messages.

On World Malaria Day, a durbar was held at the Agona Nkwanta Polyclinic. Yinson Ghana and WARA/International SOS Ghana donated essential medical equipment, including BP apparatus, thermometers, pulse oximeters, portable diagnostic sets, Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Antimalarial medications, sanitizers, treated mosquito nets, weighing scales (for adults and babies), baby cots, examination beds, dressing sets, and delivery sets to the clinic.

Edward Mensah, Yinson Ghana’s Local Content and CSR Manager, highlighted that Yinson aligns with 9 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Our commitment is part of everything we do, whether it is empowering communities, championing education, protecting the environment, or fighting against malaria. We strive to make a lasting impact,” he added.

Dr. Joseph Gbene, Deputy Medical Director at WARA/International SOS Ghana, educated the gathering on the causes and prevention of malaria.

He stressed the importance of keeping environments clean, sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, and reporting suspected cases of malaria early.

Dr. Grace Oppong, Ag. Medical Director of the Ahanta West Directorate of Health praised the collaboration between Yinson Ghana and WARA/International SOS Ghana in the fight against malaria.

She emphasized that combating malaria is a shared responsibility and urged everyone to ensure their environments are clean.

In his concluding remarks, the Chief of Agona Nkwanta and Acting president of the Ahanta Traditional Council, Nana Eziku IV, summed up the keynotes from the speakers and made a rousing call to the Agona Community to take personal and collective action and to support the health professionals to reduce the impact of malaria.

The world malaria Day events in Agona township were a resounding success, fostering greater awareness and community engagement in the fight against malaria.

The collaborative efforts of the various organizations and active participation of the community underscored the collective commitment to eradicating malaria.

The inclusion of malaria screening further emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.

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