Health leaders and civil society organisations are calling on African governments to assume greater ownership of malaria elimination efforts amid growing biological challenges and a widening funding gap that threatens to derail progress.
At the just-ended Regional Strategic Meeting and launch of the Coalition of Parliamentarians to End Malaria in Africa (COPEMA) in Accra, speakers stressed that while global support remains vital, the continent’s long-term success against malaria depends on increased domestic investment and political will.
Dr. Corine Karema, CEO and Founder of Afrika Kwanza Health Impact, commended Ghana for taking bold steps—including vaccine deployment and targeted surveillance—as part of its National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (NMESP) 2024–2028. However, she warned that without sufficient and sustained financing, even the most advanced strategies could falter.
“The reality is that we’re only meeting about half the global funding needs. The malaria response requires $8.3 billion annually, but only $4.3 billion is available,” Dr. Karema said. “That’s why this meeting is so important—to mobilise domestic resources and ensure African governments are not waiting on donors alone.”
She also highlighted the urgency of confronting new biological threats, such as mosquito resistance to bed net insecticides and drug-resistant malaria strains. These factors, coupled with emerging undetectable parasites, are complicating efforts to contain the disease, especially in vulnerable regions.
“This is a disease that is preventable and treatable, yet one child is dying every minute. We must act with urgency and leadership,” she added.
COPEMA, the new parliamentary coalition, is designed to bridge the gap between policymakers and national malaria programmes, placing lawmakers at the centre of advocacy and budget allocation. The coalition aims to hold governments accountable for delivering on malaria commitments, including those made under global health frameworks.
Speaking on behalf of civil society, Mrs. Cecilia Senoo, Executive Director of Hope for Future Generations, emphasised that 2025 marks a critical year for resource mobilisation, as the Global Fund prepares for its Eighth Replenishment—a major opportunity to secure life-saving interventions for millions.
“We’re calling on African leaders to not just support but lead their malaria responses,” she stated. “We must ensure the Global Fund is fully resourced, but at the same time, our governments must fulfil their share of responsibility.”
The event was supported by a wide range of health partners including the Ghana National Malaria Programme, Afrika Kwanza Health Impact, Africa CDC, WHO, Pan African Parliament, and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria.
With malaria still claiming over 600,000 lives annually—most of them children under five—the message from Accra was clear: Africa cannot wait for help. It must lead.
