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Employ African-led innovation to eliminate malaria — Dep Minister of Health
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THE Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has called for bold African-led innovation and stronger bilateral partnerships to eliminate malaria.
She made the remarks at a regional workshop organised by Sora Technology in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) in Accra last week. The event was held under the theme: “From Mapping to Action: Tech-enabled LSM for Malaria Elimination.”
The two-day workshop brought together participants from 13 African countries to share experiences and leverage best practices to eliminate malaria in the region. The countries represented were Ghana, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah emphasised the need for Africa to shift from aid dependency to health sovereignty, stating:
“Behind every statistic is a child missing school, a family losing income, and a health worker managing a preventable emergency.”
She highlighted that malaria remains a major global public health threat, claiming 610,000 lives in 2024, with a $5.4 billion annual funding gap for malaria control—only 42 per cent of required resources are currently available. She warned that declining international assistance underscores the urgency for domestic resource mobilisation.
At the national level, Ghana recorded 74 malaria-related deaths in 2024, down from 146 the previous year, surpassing its target of 95 deaths. Since 2012, malaria mortality has declined by 97 per cent. Under the National Malaria Strategic Plan (2024–2028), Ghana aims to reduce malaria deaths by 90 per cent, cut incidence by 50 per cent, and eliminate the disease in 21 districts within Greater Accra.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, in a speech read on his behalf, described the event as a “transformative moment” in Ghana’s malaria response. Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), he noted that 282 million malaria cases were recorded globally in 2024, with Africa bearing 95 per cent of the burden.
Although investments since 2000 have averted an estimated 2.3 billion cases and 14 million deaths, Dr Akoriyea expressed concern that progress has slowed, with global incidence still far above the 2025 target. He also warned about the detection in 2023 of the invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito in Accra, cautioning that up to 126 million additional Africans could be at risk if it spreads further.
He emphasised that malaria elimination is not only a public health priority but also an economic imperative, noting estimates from the RBM Partnership to End Malaria that eradicating malaria could boost Africa’s GDP by up to $127 billion.
“This is about our children’s future and our collective capacity to confront shared challenges,” the Service stated.
Central to discussions was the resurgence of Larval Source Management (LSM), now strengthened by drone mapping and artificial intelligence (AI). A pilot project in Kwabirem District, conducted with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and SORA Technology, showed that drone-assisted mapping identified more than three times the breeding sites found through conventional methods, while AI classification reduced field verification needs by over 50 per cent.
Cost comparisons presented at the forum indicated that LSM could protect individuals at between 24 and 44 cents per person, compared to about $6.70 per person for indoor residual spraying.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
