Ghana reduces malaria deaths by 97% in a decade – Health Ministry announces

Ghana has achieved a remarkable milestone in its public health journey, reducing deaths caused by malaria by over 97% between 2014 and 2024.

This achievement, celebrated during the 2025 World Malaria Day event, highlights the country’s sustained commitment to eradicating the disease.

In addition to the sharp decline in malaria-related deaths, outpatient department (OPD) cases have dropped by 3%, while hospital admissions due to malaria have fallen by 17%.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, through a speech read on his behalf by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said Ghana’s National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023–2028) aims to further reduce malaria deaths by 51% within the plan’s duration.

A key goal under the plan is to achieve a 36% reduction in the under-five malaria case fatality rate by 2024, using 2022 as the baseline. The minister also emphasized plans to steadily roll out the malaria vaccine with a target of over 70% coverage for the first dose.

“We will continue to expand effective interventions such as indoor residual spraying, insecticide-treated net distribution, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnancy, case management, malaria vaccines, and other new strategies,” he said.

urged all Ghanaians to sustain the momentum, stating, “Malaria elimination begins with us. Together, with commitment, knowledge, and collective action, we can and will make history.”

The 2025 World Malaria Day, commemorated annually on April 25, was observed under the theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.” The theme underscores the need for grassroots mobilization and renewed commitment at all levels to accelerate malaria elimination.

The celebration also saw Holy Child R/C Basic School, Tema West, win the national malaria quiz competition, walking away with tablets, projectors, and other educational prizes.

Highlighting the progress made, the Director of Public Health at the GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, attributed the success to the dedication of health workers, policymakers, partners, and community engagement efforts. He noted that data-driven planning, targeted interventions, and robust community mobilization were yielding significant results.

Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe disclosed that the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign was successfully rolled out across 28 districts, achieving a 53% coverage rate. Additionally, over 19 million insecticide-treated nets were distributed during a recent mass campaign.

In the 21 districts earmarked for malaria elimination, malaria positivity rates dropped from 20.9% to 16%, turning these districts into model examples of what strong leadership, community ownership, and smart interventions can achieve.

“The Government of Ghana’s direct support in two of these districts highlights the nation’s commitment to a malaria-free future,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe said, emphasizing the power of partnerships and national ownership in driving continued progress.

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