The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and communities from malaria with the rollout of the School-Based Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) Distribution and the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign.
Addressing the media, Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea described the school-based ITN distribution as a deliberate, evidence-driven strategy to ensure every primary school child has access to treated mosquito nets. He explained that schools provide a structured and equitable platform for reaching children nationwide, while increasing household ownership of nets and extending protection to entire families.
Dr. Akoriyea further announced that the 2026 SMC campaign is underway in the Upper East, Upper West, North East, Northern, Savannah, Bono East, and Oti Regions. Targeting children aged 3 to 59 months during the peak malaria season, the campaign has been strengthened through digital registration using the Ghana Malaria Information System (GMIS), enhanced supervision, improved safety monitoring, and door-to-door administration by trained community volunteers.
Speaking on behalf of the Ghana Education Service, Madam Theresa Oppong emphasized that protecting learners against malaria is fundamental to quality education, noting that the disease remains a leading cause of absenteeism and poor academic performance. She assured that teachers will continue to integrate malaria prevention messages into health education activities, empowering learners to become advocates for healthy living.
Responding to public concerns, Dr. Victor Ofori-Antwi of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) clarified that the insecticide-treated nets have been registered since 2008 and are safe, effective, and approved by the World Health Organization. He urged parents and teachers to reassure children of their safety and to use the nets strictly according to instructions.
Director of Public Health, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, explained that integrating school-based ITN distribution with the nationwide SMC campaign will strengthen malaria prevention ahead of the rainy season. He encouraged parents to ensure children sleep under the nets nightly and to air new nets in shaded areas for 48 hours before use.
Health authorities at the briefing underscored that ITNs and SMC are scientifically proven interventions, urging families to rely on verified information from the GHS and regulatory bodies and to join the collective effort toward a malaria-free Ghana.
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