By Rachel Kakraba
The Zamrama Chief of Tuba in the Gedan Tuba Municipal Assembly of the Greater Accra region, Alhaji Ummar says confirmation of the new breed of mosquito, the Anopheles Stephensi in the community has seen increased sensitization among members of the Islamic fraternity.
The awareness campaign, which he said is deepened on Fridays, is to ensure worshipers are abreast of threats the Anopheles Stephensi poses to the community in order to protect themselves. Alhaji Ummar was speaking in an interview with GBCNEWS when the news team visited the community to ascertain measures religious leaders are putting in place to protect their congregation from the Anopheles Stephensi.
The Ghana Health Service in April 2023 confirmed the presence of the Anopheles Stephensi in Tuba and Dansoman, both in the Greater Accra Region after Routine Malaria Surveillance System and Vector Control Monitoring at designated sentinel sites.
The Anopheles Stephensi is a unique vector known to breed in a myriad of sources such as ponds, swamps, marches and other man-made containers. It can breed in almost all water sources, some of which are not the traditional breeding sites of common Anopheles species, particularly in urban areas.
Alhaji Ummar, said leading a congregation in which the majority of the people are unhealthy is a worry, a reason together with his assistants they have been carrying out vigorous sensitization for members. He said some institutions have been in the community to carry out assessments since confirmation of Anopheles Stephensi in the community to give support to the residents and asked the media to lend its support to the education drive.
“Some companies come here to fight the mosquitoes. You too inform your listeners to know what is happening in Tuba. The mosquitoes coming here is very bad so everybody must protect themselves”
Aljaji Ummar said that the Tuba Community Clinic would also require resources to efficiently deal with any cases of malaria that might come up. He challenged the facility to intensify community sensitization on the Anopheles Stephensi to contain any excesses. Alhaji Ummar also encouraged residents to take charge of their own safety and protect themselves and their families.
“We need the hospitals to come and help us in educating the people because it’s very bad. Everybody if you enter your room protect your children and wife from the mosquitoes that have come to Tuba”
Tuba is a farming community, where the majority of residents engage in farming and other menial activities.
