Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya Sekyere West has called on chiefs, assembly members and opinion leaders to ensure that environmental cleanliness was observed in their communities. This, he said, would promote the health needs of the people and also fight the malaria disease. He said the issue of environmental cleanliness should not be the sole responsibility of the government but all hands should be on deck to eliminate it.

Mr Kan-Dapaah made the call on Tuesday when a delegation of Kick Malaria Out of Africa, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), championing the cause of malaria eradication in the country, called on the Members of Parliament to solicit their supports for the campaign. Mr Kan Dapaah said for every nation to develop, there was the need for the citizens to remain healthy adding "no nation can develop when her citizens are half -fit". He commended the NGO for their initiative and expressed the hope that Ghanaians would support the programme and make Ghana a malaria-free country. Dr Mustapha Ahmed, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East said it was on record that malaria was the number one killer disease in Africa and called on youth groups to engage in clean-up exercises in their communities as a way of preventing the disease. Mr Joseph Osei-Wusu, Member of Parliament for Bekwai advised Ghanaians to desilt choked gutters and clear stagnant waters which were the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. He advised pregnant women to use treated mosquito nets and seek early treatment when they detected symptoms of malaria. Mr Kwabena Osei Bonsu, Chief Executive of the NGO who led the delegation, asked Ghanaians to contribute meaningfully towards the success of the programme.