Ghana has emerged as a continental leader in the fight against malaria, demonstrating how strategic policy action, innovation, and rigorous implementation can translate into measurable reductions in child mortality. Historically, malaria has been the leading cause of death among children under five in the country, accounting for significant hospital admissions and straining the healthcare system.
According to the World Health Organisation Ghana Annual Report 2019, malaria parasite prevalence declined from 27.5 per cent in 2011 to 14.1 per cent in 2019, reflecting consistent improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment across the country. Regional disparities remain, with prevalence ranging from 2.4 per cent in Greater Accra to 27.0 per cent in the Western Region, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
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Ghana’s national malaria mortality targets were exceeded in 2019. Deaths attributed to malaria per 100 000 population fell from 10.8 in 2012 to just 1.1 in 2019, surpassing the national target of 2.5 per 100 000. Even more strikingly, the case fatality rate among children under five dropped from 0.6 per cent in 2012 to 0.1 per cent in 2019, outperforming the target of 0.2 per cent. These metrics highlight the country’s focused approach to protecting its most vulnerable population.
Strategic Vaccine Implementation
In 2019, Ghana became one of the first countries globally to introduce the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine under the World Health Organisation’s Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP). The vaccine targets Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, and is administered in a four-dose schedule beginning in early infancy. Early evidence indicates that the vaccine reduces severe malaria incidence in children by more than 50 per cent in the first year after three doses, with a booster dose extending protection into the second year.
By strategically integrating vaccination with long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and indoor residual spraying, Ghana has established a layered approach to malaria prevention. Household LLIN ownership increased from 68 per cent in 2014 to 73 per cent in 2019, illustrating the country’s commitment to community-level protection.
Financing and Policy Leadership
Ghana’s success reflects not only health system implementation but also astute policy and financing decisions. Through partnerships with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and bilateral donors, Ghana secured the funding required for vaccine procurement and nationwide rollout. Even in the context of fluctuating international aid, the government supplemented external support with domestic resources to maintain high coverage levels, reaching 63–75 per cent of eligible children in early rollout districts.
Ghana’s proactive engagement, strong governance, and focus on sustainability exemplify leadership in translating global recommendations into locally owned health initiatives.
Engaging Communities and Building Trust
Beyond logistics and funding, Ghana prioritised community mobilisation and education, engaging caregivers, traditional leaders, and frontline health workers. Reports indicate that children completing the full vaccination schedule exhibit significantly lower rates of severe malaria and hospitalisation, reinforcing public confidence in the programme and increasing vaccine uptake.
This effort demonstrates that effective malaria control requires both medical innovation and active societal engagement, a dual strategy that Ghana has applied consistently.
While 17 endemic countries had introduced WHO-recommended malaria vaccines by 2024, Ghana’s implementation stands out for its speed, coverage, and demonstrable reduction in child mortality. The country’s efforts contribute directly to the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, which targets a 90 per cent reduction in malaria mortality compared with 2015 baselines. Ghana’s experience provides a model for other African nations striving to integrate innovative vaccines into national health systems.
Sustaining Gains and the Road Ahead
The challenge for Ghana is to maintain momentum: ensuring uninterrupted vaccine supply, supporting health workforce capacity, and securing sustained financing. If these conditions are met, Ghana could achieve long-term reductions in malaria-related child deaths, reinforcing its position as a leader in African health innovation and policy execution.
The country’s success illustrates a broader lesson: decisive national leadership, combined with evidence-based health policy, global partnerships, and community engagement, can dramatically improve child survival, even in contexts historically plagued by malaria.
