Accra, Sept. 4, GNA - Sonitra, an Israeli-based construction company, on Tuesday donated 15,000 GH cedis towards the anti-malaria campaign in the Greater Accra Region.

The donation, which is part of the company's social responsibility, was made as part of the 15th anniversary of its return to Ghana. Mr. Jean Claude Kalfa, Managing Director of Sonitra, gave the cheque to Sheikh Ibrahim Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, who has been at the forefront of the war against malaria in the Region. Sheikh Quaye said the "mosquito war" began as his personal initiative with a mere 2,500 GH cedis, which was his share of the MP's Common Fund. He also paid the bills for other expenses such as insecticide and labour.

Sheikh Quaye said he then appealed for help, which saw the Japan Embassy donating treated mosquito nets and the Libyan Embassy sending insecticides and four giant mist-blowers mounted on 10 pick-ups just before the July African Union Summit. "Such has been the humble beginnings of the mosquito war but it seems to have made an impact," he said.

"At the beginning people, including the media, called me all sorts of names and thought I was joking...but today, with your (Sonitra's) contribution, I declare that the mosquito war is in cruising gear and both the mosquitoes and the sceptics should note that I have a vision, and that vision is to minimise to the barest level the vestiges of mosquitoes and malaria while I still have breath." Sheikh Quaye renewed his appeal to corporate bodies to join the anti-mosquito programme. 4 Sept. 07