Holgate's anti-malaria expedition arrives in Ghana

Aflao, (V/R), Sept. 01, GNA- Mr. Kingsley Holgate, a South African travelling through Africa with his family by road to give renewed impetus to the fight against malaria arrived in Ghana, at Aflao from the Republic of Togo on Friday.

Mr. Joseph Nayan, Deputy Volta Regional Minister and Mr. Justice Cudjoe, Ketu District Chief Executive (DCE) met him at the border. From the border the Ghanaian officials led the explorers' retinue in three Land Rovers to the palace of Togbe Amenya Fiti, Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area where scores of pregnant women waited for gifts of treated mosquito nets from the Holgate team. Mr Holgate, whose journey started four months ago from Cape Town in South Africa, would traverse 33 African States. Already the team had travelled 16,000 kilometres through nine countries before arriving in Ghana.

He told the gathering of pregnant women, traditional rulers and government officials that his mission was to help sustain the fight against malaria, which kills two babies every minute worldwide. Mr Holgate said the gift of nets, though "only drops in the ocean" would help highlight the war against malaria. He said human rights activists; traditional rulers and political luminaries such as ex-President Nelson Mandela of South Africa endorsed his mission.

Ms Josephine Taylor, Corporate, Social Responsibility and Public Relations Manager of British Airways, which with Land Rover are supporting Holgate's expedition, said the journey had already registered positive impact in malaria control and awareness along the route. She said British Airways was supporting with logistics and cash donated by sympathizers through its website appeal dubbed: "One Net One Life".

Ms. Taylor said staff of the Airways along the route of the expedition was available to herald and guide the team. Mr. Nayan said the expedition was a "laudable and benevolent assistance that will not be forgotten," while Togbe Fiti said it had come to help his people against the scourge of malaria.

Mr. Cudjoe told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the prevalence of malaria in the area was being tackled by improving sanitary conditions. He said drains were being constructed to improve sewage disposal in towns and villages in the highly populated district. The team would give educational materials and teaching aids to selected schools and provide eye care services at health facilities along its route. 01 Sept. 07