Ghana on course in Guinea Worm eradication

The National Guinea Worm Programme Manager, Dr. Seidu Korkor, has said that Ghana is almost near the eradication of the Guinea Worm disease, and has therefore called for the provision of more safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in the few endemic areas in the Northern Region.

According to him, Ghana has been able to reduce the Guinea Worm epidemic by over 90 percent within the last two years, but cautioned stakeholders not to relent in their efforts, since there were still few cases in the north.

Dr. Seidu Korkor announced this in Tamale when the UNICEF and European Commission in Ghana presented 10 pick-ups and one Toyota Land Cruiser to some selected District Assemblies, the Department of Community Development, and the Ghana Education Service, to help eradicate the Guinea Worm and other water-borne diseases in the Northern Region.

The Guinea Worm pandemic has in the past years caused serious socio-economic setbacks in the region, affecting most farmers and fishermen.

The region accounts for over 96 percent of the total reported cases of Guinea Worm in Ghana, with the Central Gonja and Savelugu-Nanton districts ranking first and second respectively.

The National Guinea Worm Programme Manager, Dr. Seidu Korkor, however said the fight against the disease required the concerted effort of all stakeholders.

A Representative of the UNICEF, Mr. Kabuka Banda, noted that the donation of the vehicles was to help monitor and implement activities of guinea worm eradication field officers in the region.

He said about 20 million Euros had been spent by the UNICEF in fighting the disease between 2007 and 2009.

The keys to the vehicles were received on behalf of the districts by the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Bukari Moses Mabengba, who later handed them over to the respect District Chief Executives.

The Deputy Minister cautioned them to put the vehicles to good use, and ensure regular maintenance.

He noted that the ruling government would do everything within its powers, to ensure that the last guinea worm virus was killed or eradicated from the Northern Region.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Central Gonja, Sualisu Issifu Be-Awuribe, whose district is the worst hit guinea worm area in Ghana now, attributed the phenomenon to lack of good drinking water, poor sanitary environment, and refusal of the already affected persons to desist from entering the few water sources in the district.

He therefore called on the government to address the extreme water shortage in the area, to free the district from the epidemic, and as well enhance the health development of the people.