Italy to help Ghana combat malaria

Ghana is to benefit from a 500,000-dollar package from an Italian government aid to the World Health Organisation to combat malaria.

The aid includes financing training of Ghanaian researchers and exchange programmes in the field.

Mr Giancarlo Izzo, Italian Ambassador, made this known on Thursday when he called on the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh Ibrahim Codjoe Quaye.

He said Italy wants Ghana to identify its priority areas for WHO to immediately start implementing the project.

Mr Izzo announced that a delegation of Italian industrialists is expected in the country to explore possibilities of joint ventures.

He said members of the delegation are interested in adding value to agricultural produce, export of fresh ocean fish with EU specifications and the collection of waste and recycling to produce cheap energy.

Sheikh Quaye assured the ambassador that Italian investors have nothing to fear since the country is being governed by the rule of law, which will protect their investments.

He said government believes in private sector development and will welcome Italian investments.

The Minister said Ghana appreciates the support it has received from Italy over the years and hoped their bilateral relations would be strengthened.

He said the threat is real and "we cannot afford to wait for funds before taking action, because I have realised it is a killer."

Sheikh Quaye said areas where there are polls of stagnant water would be sprayed.