GHANA
Ghana had a population of 22.4 million in 2006,
with about 31.4% of the population below the poverty line. The GDP per
capita is US$2,500. The GDP growth rate is 4.7%. Ghana is well endowed
with natural resources. It has made considerable progress under the
structural adjustment program and is one of the fastest growing economies
in Africa.
Malaria is endemic throughout the country, with over 90% of the total
population at risk of stable endemic malaria. It accounts for 40% of
all inpatient admittances and is responsible for an average loss of
3.7 days of male and 4.7 days of female output.
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) identifies insecticide
treated nets (ITNs) as a key strategy for malaria control and a plan
for promoting the private sector availability of ITNs has been drawn.
According to NetMark research, household ITN coverage varies from 9%
in the Accra area to 34% in Tamale.
NetMark's
Work in Ghana
NetMark
launched in Ghana in November 2002 and currently partners with five
manufacturers and distributors of ITN products in the country. NetMark
is a major player in the RBM partnership in Ghana and currently the
coordinator of the ITN sub-committee which aims to harmonize all ITN
programs to maximize public health impact and minimize clashes between
subsidized and commercial efforts. In 2004, NetMark initiated a targeted
subsidies program with funding from ExxonMobil and DFID to deliver
discounted ITNs to pregnant women and their young children. Commercial
discount voucher schemes provide a discount of ¢40,000 on an ITN
procured by a pregnant woman or a mother with a child under five through
a commercial retail outlet. Additionally, the private sector sells ITNs
at full commercial prices. Retail price range from ¢60,000 to ¢95,000
per net depending on the type, size, shape and color.
NetMark
achievements to date include:
-
Implementation of TS programs in Kumasi and the Greater Accra Region, Eastern Region, Volta Region, Brong Ahafo Region, and the Ashanti Region. About 350,000 ITNs have been purchased by pregnant women and mothers with children under five years using discount vouchers. All NetMark TS programs have had redemption rates of at least 70%.
- ITN awareness is currently 91% (NetMark 2004 Household Survey)
- The private sector's participation in the ITN business has steadily grown; currently, there are four formal partners, compared to two when NetMark first began activities in Ghana.
- Commercial availability of ITNs has increased. Currently, there are about 2,000 active retail outlets in the country selling ITNs compared to 500 in 2003.
- Prices of ITNs have dropped largely due to NetMark's efforts to bring new brands into the market and remove taxes, tariffs and VAT.
| International Manufacturers | Local Distributors | Products & Brands | Description |
| SiamDutch | Agrimat | Dawa;
|
Long-Lasting
Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN); Mosquito net packaged with a K-O Tab® retreatment kit |
| Syngenta | Reiss & Co | Iconet | Mosquito net with Iconet™ treatment. |
| Vestergaard Frandsen | Netco Rockville | Permanet | Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN) |
| Vestergaard Frandsen | Transcol | Permanet | Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN) |
| Sumitomo | Integrated Netting Ghana Ltd. | Olyset | Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN) |
For
additional information regarding NetMark's activities in Ghana, please
contact:
Felix
Nyanor-Fosu
NetMark Country Manager
No. 8 Kakramadu Street
Cantonments
Accra
+233 21 765 316
fnyanorfosu@aed.org
Ghana
2004 Household Survey Report
(PDF, 1.2MB)
Ghana
2004 Survey Brief
(PDF, 434KB)
Ghana
2004 Survey Highlights
(PDF, 411KB)
