Kintampo (B/A), Sept 25, GNA - Dr Gbeysika Adomire Agambila, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Science, has said over 850 billion cedis is spent on the treatment and care for malaria yearly and urged Ghanaians to wage a war to stem the scourge.

Dr Agambila said resources spent on the fight against malaria could be used for roads, housing, electrification and schools. He was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Wangara at the celebration of Kurubi Festival at Kintampo in Brong-Ahafo Region over the weekend.

The weeklong celebration was on the theme: "Environmental sanitation and our health -Prevention of malaria". Dr Agambila said agriculture, particularly peasant farming, continues to be the cornerstone of the country's economy since it provides over 45 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said the ministry, in collaboration with SPECs Multi Media Concepts, a private organization, had instituted the malaria-Free Ghana Project.

It is aimed at raising the consciousness and to create awareness about malaria with the aim of altering attitudes and behaviour of people towards sound environmental and sanitation practices. Dr Agambila expressed the hope that the spirit of environmental consciousness would be sustained among the people of Wangara.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, urged the Wangara community to demonstrate unity of purpose and tackle the diverse problems facing their communities.

He appealed to the people to embark on clean-up exercises to de-silt drains, fill potholes and clear weeds to help curb the spread of malaria.

Nana Seinti advised Municipal and District assemblies to adequately resource their environmental and sanitation units to step up environmental sanitation education in the communities. Nana Fanyinama III, President of the Wangara Council of Chiefs in Ghana, advised the Wangara communities to keep their environment clean to avoid the spread of malaria.