Ghana Football Association President wins award for his efforts in fighting malaria

Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah launch countdown for companies to contribute two million mosquito nets by the World Cup Final

Accra, Ghana March 11, 2010: The Ghana national football team, the Black Stars, received accolades today, not for their sublime football, but for their skills in scoring against malaria. The President of the Ghana Football Association was awarded the United Against Malaria "Golden Boot" for his exemplary leadership in guiding the Black Stars to become champions in the fight against malaria. He also joined football legends Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah in launching a nationwide challenge to the business community in Ghana to contribute two million mosquito nets to the nation before the World Cup ends in July.

The Black Stars recent international triumphs include winning the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in October, qualifying for this year’s FIFA World Cup and reaching the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in January. But in addition to their success on the football field, the national team has been busy raising awareness about the prevention and treatment of malaria, in partnership with Voices for a Malaria Free Future and the National Malaria Control Program. In recognition of these efforts, Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi, the President of the Ghana Football Association was presented with the United Against Malaria Golden Boot.

“The Black Stars have thrown themselves into this important battle and this award is a small token of our collective appreciation of their efforts”, said Awa Coll Seck, Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. “These players are heroes across Africa and if they say "sleep under a net", people listen. Mr. Nyantakyi in particular has put a huge amount of personal time and effort into raising awareness of this disease and we hope he continues to do so until we have beaten malaria.”

There were 3.2 million cases of malaria in Ghana in 2008, down from 8.3 million in 2006 thanks to a concerted effort by the government of Ghana and its international partners. To reach the goal of universal coverage of malaria prevention and treatment and to end preventable deaths from the disease by 2015, an additional 6.3 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets must be distributed across the country by the end of 2010. If this is achieved Ghana will be well on its way to ending preventable deaths and moving closer to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, a commitment by the UN to establish peace and a healthy global economy by focusing on major issues like poverty, children’s health, empowerment of women and girls, sustainable environment, disease, and development.

“Malaria has held back our country and our continent for far too long,” said Kwesi Nyantakyi, the President of the Ghana Football Association. “The first FIFA World Cup on African soil is a historic occasion and we will do all we can to make this World Cup a turning point to end this disease. Everybody should play their part - footballers, fans, the media - everyone!"

With less than 100 days until the World Cup kicks off, African football legends Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah called on companies in Ghana to throw their weight behind the fight against malaria. Ghana’s two all-time leading goal-scorers asked for the commitment of businesses of all sizes to help meet the ambitious target of providing two million extra mosquito nets for the country before the FIFA World Cup ends in July 2010.

“Throughout my international career with Ghana, malaria was a constant barrier to our development as a team,” said Abedi Pele. “Malaria has a negative impact on us all and taking positive steps to fight this disease represents a sound investment for the future. We want businesses across Ghana to step up and help us reach our goal of getting two million extra nets for the Ghanaian people ahead of the World Cup final.”

The United Against Malaria campaign is using the FIFA World Cup to raise awareness and drive action in tackling a disease that kills an African child every 30 seconds. Stars like Fredi Kanoute, Kolo Toure and Seydou Keita have put their names to public service announcements on behalf of the campaign and the national football associations of Angola, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia have also demonstrated their support for ending malaria.

Rising to the challenge, a number of businesses across the continent have also signed up to turn the tide against malaria with large African fundraising and education activities. The campaign has opened the door for businesses of all sizes to get involved in the fight against malaria in new and innovative ways. One such project hopes to distribute one million bracelets before the World Cup next year, with the money raised going towards malaria control and providing an employment opportunity for some of the poorest communities in South Africa. The Black Stars have committed to wearing the necklace versions during games to further profile the campaign.

Malaria is a devastating disease even though it is entirely treatable and preventable. Half of the world population, 3.3 billion people, is at risk of contracting malaria and there are nearly one million deaths each year. Malaria disproportionately affects people on the African continent but concentrated efforts have reduced malaria deaths by more than 50 percent in countries like Eritrea, Rwanda, and Zambia. A comprehensive approach, including the use of mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, and effective medicines like artemisinin-based combination therapies, can help African countries effectively tackle malaria within their borders and across the continent to meet the UN goal of ending malaria deaths by 2015.

Ghana Football Association