QUIZ MARKS MALARIA DAY (JUNIOR GRAPHIC, PAGE 5)

Story: Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Kenyasi

Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) has organised an inter-school malaria quiz for four second- cycle schools in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The competing schools were Ola Girls’ Senior High, Gyamfi Kumanin Senior High, Hwediem Senior High and Yamfo Senior High.
The competition formed part of activities that marked the celebration of this year’s World Malaria Day in the district.
The theme for the celebration was, “Malaria — a disease without borders”.
Ola Girls’ Senior High School (SHS), the host school, emerged the champion with 44 points and received a flat screen Dell Computer, valued at GH¢1,300, two calculators, T–shirts and insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITN).
They were followed by Gyamfi Kumanin SHS with 34 points which received a 29-inch colour television set (TV), T–shirts, calculators and ITN.
Hwediem SHS which placed third was presented with a 21-inch colour TV set, calculators, T –shirts and ITN. Yamfo SHS took the fourth position and had two calculators, T–shirts and ITN.
In a presentation on malaria after the competition, Ms Gifty Konamah, a National Service person attached to NGGL, disclosed that 41 per cent of the world’s population was at risk of contracting the disease each day and that about three million malaria cases were reported annually in Ghanaian hospitals.
She further pointed out that more than 40 per cent of cases reported at the Out-Patients Department (OPD) at the various health facilities were malaria, and added that the number could be higher as most people with suspected malaria cases did not report at the hospitals for treatment.
The General Manager in charge of Environment and Social Responsibility of NGGL, Dr Dan Michaelson, emphasised that Newmont was committed to the welfare of its partner communities and actively involved in the development of the people in its operational area.