Ghana spent about 760 million dollars last year in the treatment of malaria alone. This accounts for 10% of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The Minister of Health, Dr. George Sipa Yankey made this disclosure at the launch of the Nationwide Mosquito Control Progamme in Koforidua in the New Juaben municipality in the Eastern Region.

The programme on the theme “Getting rid of mosquitoes – Getting rid of malaria” is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Zoomlion; a Waste Management Company.

It is expected to be replicated in all regions and districts of the country to help reduce malaria mortality.

The Okyehene, Osagefo Amoatia Ofori  Panin stressed the need for attitudinal change since some of the causes of malaria are from human activities.

The Eastern Regional Minister disclosed that over two hundred people lost their lives due to malaria infection.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah also noted that about 35% of the District Assemblies budgets are spent on malaria treatment.

They called on Ghanaians to adopt good environmental practices as a way of preventing the spread of the disease.