By: Hannah Dadzie
Ghana has officially launched Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative, ZMBLI, in Accra, to mobilize private sector companies to support the fight against the disease in Africa to achieve a malaria-free continent. Ghana is the first Anglophone West African country to roll out this initiative.
Ecobank has deposited one hundred and twenty thousand dollars as seed capital to support the elimination of the disease by 2030.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu said the initiative is a bold step in creating a platform for other entities to champion the fight against malaria.
He appealed to private sector companies to provide support for the fight against malaria as their corporate social responsibility and health strategies in the ambitious malaria elimination objective.
“While we have made remarkable strides in improving healthcare, malaria remains a formidable threat to our prosperity, socioeconomic development and overall well-being of our citizens. However, there’s hope when we are determined and remain focused. The goal of malaria elimination is not a far-fetched dream. It is achievable reality. This is a journey and ambitious aspiration but we cannot do it all alone” Mr Agyeman Manu indicated.
Malaria related deaths at all ages have dropped from 333 in 2019 to 155 at the end of 2022, due to financial contributions from stakeholders and other partners. Despite the strides, malaria still poses a health challenge.
Led by the Ecobank Group in partnership with RMB and Senegal-based advocacy action tank, Speak Up Africa, the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative is to stimulate private sector engagement in the fight against malaria in Africa for economic growth and productivity. It is also to mobilize businesses and business leaders to contribute to the control and elimination of malaria.
Private-sector participation in malaria control and elimination can energize national goals by bringing more partners and resources to the table. In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, said with the strides made so far, the elimination of malaria is feasible.
He commended the partners for the immense contribution.
“Together, we can forge a future where businesses thrive, communities prosper and the burden of malaria is lifted from our people. I extend my deepest gratitude to Ecobank, Speak up Africa and the global malaria partnership to end malaria for their leadership and commitment in the zero malaria leadership initiative” the Minister of Health said
The Executive Director and Head of Consumer Banking, Ecobank Ghana, Edward Botchway said the initiative will inspire leaders and private sector companies to invest in eliminating malaria.
A 5-member committee has been set to ensure that the funds generated will be duly accounted for.
“For us in Ecobank, we recognize the importance of corporate Ghana contributing bits and quota to the the needs of the country. I think that when you talk about malaria, you are talking about six million margin deaths in Africa per year. Clearly this is a thing that needs to be addressed. That’s why for us in Ecobank, we feel it’s important that we just not contribute our quota in giving the hundred and twenty thousand dollars $120, 000, but also to mobilize and get others to contribute to the fight to ensure that as a country, we can eliminate malaria by 2030” Dr. Botchway noted
Chairperson National Malaria Advocacy Committee, Madam Norkor Akua Duah said although a lot has been done across the continent to eliminate malaria, partnership, consistency and sustainability are key in partnering the private sector to achieve goal.
“The whole element is about partnership, collaboration and impact and having seen that there’s a gap in resourcing because it’s about the sustainability of Ghana going beyond what we currently have to be able to do the total elimination. Ultimately, Ghana is the winner and if we are able to eliminate malaria and do it based on support we are going to get from private sector, that is fantastic.” Madam Akua Duah said
Senior Malaria Advisor, Speak up Africa, a key partner of the initiative, James Wallen said the organization is dedicated help eliminate malaria on the continent.
“The private sector in particular pays a vital role, this is why the ZMBLI was specifically designed to target private sector companies and businesses. We commend the effort being already undertaken and look forward to working together to ensure the necessary resources are available. Malaria deeply affects all private sector businesses, and we urge every company to contribute on some way to malaria elimination and to even integrate it into their corporate social responsibility, plans and priorities” Mr Wallen indicated.
The initiative is currently being implemented in several countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Uganda.