A GAEC team during the study
Research conducted by the Biotechnology and Nuclear Research Institute (BNARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has revealed extreme resistance to insecticides among Anopheles mosquitoes in a small cocoa growing village of the Ashanti Region.
The research conducted at Atatam in the Adansi Asokwa District of the Ashanti Region showed that there were two major malaria vectors, one dominating during the dry season and the other during the rainy season. Unlike in many communities, where there is only one transmission season, usually the rainy season.
The Director of BNARI, Dr. Michael Osae, made this known when he shared the findings with the chief and people of Atatam last Wednesday, at a Malaria Awareness Campaign to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day.
The campaign dubbed, ‘Zero Malaria – Draw the line against Malaria’, was organised by BNARI, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Education Service (GES), and AngloGold Ashanti Malaria Control (AGAMal). As part of the programme, the people of Atatam were screened and treated against the malaria parasite.
According to the Director, research was ongoing to proffer alternative tools that could fight the malaria vectors or prevent further resistance to maintain the effectiveness of existing vector control interventions.
“Our research found out that there are two main types of malaria-causing mosquitoes in the Atatam Community – Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus. The populations of both species have high resistance to all classes of insecticides – organophosphates, organochlorines, pyrethroids, and carbamates recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for public health use,” he added.
He indicated that the ‘super’ resistance to insecticides may be due to the use of pesticides by the people of Atatam on their cocoa farms, and said the research showed that Atatam was a malaria-endemic community, with a heavy infestation of mosquitoes all year round.
Dr. Osae thanked partners and sponsors as well as the chief and people of Atatam for supporting the institute’s research activities and the malaria awareness campaign.
The Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS) of Adansi Asokwa District, Mr. David Kunta, gave some lessons on the behaviour of mosquitoes and the dangers it poses to people, and added that malaria was on the ascendency in the district.
He revealed that malaria topped all hospital cases with 32.5 per cent for the year 2020. “Malaria cases for the first quarter of 2021 also stand at 34 per cent as we speak,” he added.
Mr. David Kunta therefore, urged the people to always use an insecticide-treated mosquito net to help prevent mosquito bites and report immediately to the clinic for healthcare whenever they are unwell.
The Social and Behavioural Change Manager of AngloGold Ashanti Malaria Control Limited (AGAMaL), Mrs. Alberta Gordon Bosomtwe, who represented the Programme Director, called for a united effort and active involvement of everybody to bring the disease under control.
“The disease, if not brought under control can affect the school performance of pupils, reduce productivity at workplaces through absenteeism, as work-hours are lost, among others,” she noted.
The Coordinator for the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) of GES, Mr. Columbus Ewusie, representing the Director of Ghana Education Service (GES), expressed gratitude for the selection of the school in the district for the occasion.
“The district is always ready to support such programmes that target the health and wellness of its pupils,” he added.
As part of the campaign, the people of Atatam were screened for malaria and those who tested positive were treated. In all, 125 people were screened, with 68 (54.4%) testing positive for malaria. This level of malaria prevalence is far higher than the regional and national prevalence of 15% and 16% respectively. This calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, if we must remain on track for the zero-malaria agenda.