Ghana has officially launched the Ghana Youth Corps, joining the countries in Africa to levarage the power of the youth as change agents and partners to push forward health and social agenda in the fight to end malaria by 2030.
Delivering a keynote address at a high-level youth engagement to mark the launch in Accra, on Thursday, December 19, 2024, Head of Research, Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Malaria Elimination program (NMEP), Dr Dora Dadzie underscored the need for a concerted effort by all institutions in achieving zero malaria by 2030.
“The journey to a malaria-free Ghana demands country ownership at its core. This means that every sector of our society – government, civil society, private enterprises, and communities – must work hand in hand. Partnerships like the one we celebrate today hold the key to unlocking potential and amplifying impact.”
The Ghanaian Malaria Youth Corps will galvanize the energy, creativity, and passion of young people across Ghana to champion the fight against malaria. These young people will create awareness and promote community-driven solutions to reduce malaria deaths to zero by 2030.
“This initiative goes beyond statistics and strategies; it is about ownership. The youth of Ghana must see themselves not as bystanders but as active leaders in the fight to save lives, protect families, and secure a healthier future for our communities,” Emmanuel Odonkor, Chairperson for the Ghana Malaria Youth Corp said.
The launch brought together partners from the Ministry of Health, youth leaders, students and the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP).
It was themed “Empowering Youth, Combating Malaria: Raising Awareness, Driving Climate Action, and Building a Malaria-Free Future.”