On December 5, 2025, in Accra, the Regional Dialogue on Malaria Drug Resistance in Africa was held on the sidelines of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2025). This event, organized by Impact Santé Afrique (ISA) in collaboration with the Ghana National Malaria Elimination Programme, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Target Malaria, Temple University, Normal Life Pictures, and Hope For Future Generations (HFFG), brought together partners from ministries, research institutions, civil society, and technical agencies, all mobilized to address an emerging reality: drug resistance to malaria treatments.
The timing of this dialogue was critical. The latest edition of the World Malaria Report reveals early signs of resistance in several African countries. The situation is even more critical as the effectiveness of current treatments can no longer be taken for granted. This urgent reality was presented during the screening of the documentary #ProtectTheCure, which recounts the lived experiences of families, health workers, and scientists.
The Call for Global Action
Linda Mafu from the Global Fund shared reflections on the need for scientific and political actions to protect malaria treatments. She stressed that consistent investment in monitoring systems, prevention, and access to effective care is crucial to maintain achieved progress. Maciej Boni, a member of the documentary team, reminded participants that artemisinin resistance, confirmed in East Africa in 2020, has now spread to several countries, making early preparedness in West Africa essential. He encouraged the dissemination of the Protect The Cure documentary, especially those designed for community health workers.
An Imperative Need for Regional Coordination
Dr. Benjamin Djoudalbaye from Africa CDC emphasized that resistance does not respect borders, making the sharing of information and collective surveillance indispensable. Dr. Felicia Owusu-Antwi from WHO, in her presentation on resistance markers, confirmed that while many treatments remain effective, it is urgent to strengthen surveillance systems to detect changes as early as possible. Dr. André Marie Tchouatieu from MMV presented new non-artemisinin combinations under development and explained how these could help delay the emergence of resistance in the future.
Participants then watched the first chapters of the documentary, showcasing families, healthcare professionals, and scientists from several African countries. The stories speak for themselves and illustrate why acting quickly is vital to protect this treatment.
Discussions on Strategies to Adopt
During the panel discussion, Dr. Hilarius Abiwu, head of Ghana’s National Malaria Elimination Programme, confirmed that malaria medicines in Ghana remain highly effective, with cure rates nearing 100%. However, he stated that waiting to act is not an option. Furthermore, strategies such as exploring triple-drug combinations have been considered to stay ahead of resistance.
Krystal Birungi from Target Malaria discussed the evolving behavior of mosquitoes and the rise in malaria cases among adolescents, highlighting the need for cross-sectoral collaboration.
Hon. Mark Nawaane, Member of Parliament and COPEMA representative, emphasized the role of parliamentarians in drug surveillance and budget advocacy.
Cecilia Senoo from Hope For Future Generations linked resistance to common community practices, such as incomplete treatments and the use of unverified medicines. She stressed the need for behavior change and community education while encouraging other countries to learn from Ghana’s approach.
In closing the dialogue, Dr. Abiwu reiterated that protecting treatment is a shared responsibility, requiring sustained investment, innovation, and collaboration across different sectors and countries. Through this regional dialogue, partners reaffirmed a collective commitment to act swiftly, think regionally, and safeguard the tools that continue to save millions of lives.
