AngloGold Ashanti, Global Fund fights malaria in Ghana

The AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) in collaboration with the Global Fund are scaling up the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in 40 districts across the country, as part of an integrated malaria control programme.

This followed the successful pilot implementation of the IRS as a malaria control intervention by AGA in Obuasi and its environs, resulting in 75 per cent reduction in malaria cases within 2 years.

A statement signed by Mr John Owusu, General Manager, Public Affairs of the company, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on Thursday, said the Global Fund approved $130 million to enable AGA execute the programme over a five year period.

It said the company became the first private sector entity in Africa to access the grant, and the second globally.

“AngloGold is partnering national agencies such as the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the National Malaria Control Programme in the implementation of the programme, the statement said.

It explained that the programme, which currently has zonal offices in Obuasi and Wa, would create 3,800 jobs for people from targeted communities.

The statement said the malaria project demonstrated AGA’s commitment to making beneficiary communities better off.

“We strive to form partnerships with host communities, sharing their environment, traditions and values as we work together with the communities in which we operate to initiate health, social and environmental projects to impact their wellbeing,” it said.

The statement said the malaria control programme was a sustainable corporate social responsibility measure for a company operating in a malaria endemic area; with a win – win for company and community.

It said in 2010 alone, Ghana recorded 4.9 million cases of malaria resulting in 4,000 deaths.

The statement noted that the programme has not only reduced the burden of malaria in the community but has also increased school attendance.