Natural resources have made Ghana more prosperous than many of its neighbors in West Africa, however most Ghanaians are small landowners relying on subsistence farming to survive, with one-third living below the poverty line. The northern region of the country is particularly vulnerable to chronic poverty and food shortages, because of erratic rainfall and a short harvest season.

Each year, malaria claims the lives of 22% of children under five in Ghana. Malaria is a chief cause of low productivity and subsequent poverty in Ghana. Close to half of all out-patient visits to health care facilities are malaria-related.

NetsforLife^® Implementing Partner

The Anglican Diocese of Tamale is located in the northern region of the country. The diocese includes the poorest areas in Ghana, marked by persistent food insecurity and on-going malnutrition. Malaria is prevalent throughout the region. The diocese’s development goals are focused on reducing poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. All development programs are consolidated in the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Office (ADDRO), which has over 20 years of development experience with communities in Northern Ghana.

Areas Impacted

NetsforLife will be working in 24 communities in four districts.

• A baseline study has been completed covering all 24 communities.
• ADDRO staff, clergy, clergy spouses, lay leaders and malaria agents have been trained in each district.
• Community sensitization workshops have taken place in: Nadowli district in the Upper West region, Talensi/Nabdam in the Upper East region, and Karaga in the Northern region.

NetsforLife was officially launched in Ghana on February 28, 2007.

* Data on Ghana based on figures from RollBackMalaria Country Profiles, 2003.