A malaria eradication pragramme is underway at Akyem-Tafo in the Eastern Region. The ?650-million project, which started about six months ago on pilot basis, has been found to have reduced malaria cases in the area by 44 per cent.

It is being executed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) with funding from SC Johnson Ghana Limited. Fourty-four mosquito magnetic traps have been installed in various locations at the CRIG station for experiment. The traps are supposed to catch and kill mosquitoes, which spread malaria.

Briefing the press at the station, Dr Maude Christian Meier, a senior research scientist and entomologist of SC Johnson, United States, said the project was aimed at experimenting on the potency and the efficacy of the traps.

Dr Meier disclosed that figures collated at the Akyem-Tafo Cocoa Clinic since the installation of the traps had shown that malaria cases in the area had reduced drastically. Explaining how the mechanism works, a research scientist of CRIG, Mr Richard Adu-Acheampong, who is a co-ordinator of the project, said that the trap was made up of certain components with a gas cylinder that pumped carbon dioxide into the air to attract and trap all forms of insects, including mosquitoes.

Mr Adu-Acheampong explained that the experimentation would continue until the mechanism was proven to be potent before it would be made public.

In a related development, the Chairman of the SC Johnson Company, Mr Fisk Johnson, donated three computers and accessories, as well as bundles of roofing sheets worth ?55 million, to Nana Ansah Sasraku III, Chief of Mamfe and Kyedomhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, at a durbar at Mamfe.

In a short remark, Mr Johnson said the donation was in line with the long standing relationship that existed between his late father and the people of Mamfe. It was also to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the company world-wide.

He expressed the hope that the donation would go a long way to strengthen the relationship that existed between the Johnson family and the chiefs and people of Mamfe.

On his part, Nana Sasraku expressed his appreciation for the kind gesture and presented some wooden sculptures and some pieces of Kente cloth to Mr Johnson and his entourage. SC Johnson produces the Johnson range of products.