Essien's Mother leads 'Malaria Eradication Through Sports' programme

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - 'Add Your Voice Now', a Non-Governmental Organization championing the cause of 'Malaria Eradication Programme Through Sports' (MEPS) is to embark on a mobile health outreach and sensitization programme along the coastal areas of the country. The programme, which is to be led by Madam Aba Kanode, Mother of Black Stars midfielder, Michael Essien would first cover six communities in the Eastern Region.

Mr Kwabena Osei Bonsu, Chief Executive Officer of the organization announced this in Accra on Tuesday when a delegation of the organization called on Madam Kanode at her residence at which she was made 'Ambassador of Malaria' eradication.

The NGO is making use of mothers of Black Stars players in championing the cause of the eradication of malaria in the country. Mr Bonsu said of the communities to covered under the programme include Agordeke, Amankwaah, Dwarf Island, Pitiku, Dodi Village and Dzemeni.

He said sports played a very important role in the socio-economic development of every nation and using it as a tool would ensure that the programme succeeds.

Mr Bonsu said about 740 million dollars is spent on the malaria annually Ghana and that if care was not taken the disease would deplete the coffers of the country and thereby derailing development efforts. He said the disease if not treated early leads to blindness, epilepsy and other deformities and called on other non-governmental organization to offer the needed support to enable the campaign to succeed.

Madam Kanode appealed to pregnant women to seek early treatment whenever they detect the disease.

She called on Ghanaians to pray for the Black Stars to enable them to qualify for South Africa 2010 and the Africa Nations Cup. 23 Sept. 08