Parliamentarians from 16 African countries are set to gather again in June 2025 for a follow-up meeting to review progress, share experiences, and strengthen coordination across countries.
This meeting will be a crucial milestone for COPEMA, the Coalition of Parliamentarians to End Malaria in Africa, which was launched in Accra, Ghana, in April 2025.
The launch of COPEMA marked the adoption of the Accra Parliamentarian Declaration, a unified call to action that outlines the coalition’s objectives and goals. The declaration calls for increased domestic financing, strengthened accountability mechanisms, and enhanced collaboration with National Malaria Control Programmes (NMCPs) and civil society.
As part of its strategy, COPEMA will establish country chapters to sustain national-level engagement and follow through on commitments. These chapters will play a vital role in ensuring that malaria control remains a priority on the national agenda and that progress is made towards the coalition’s goals.
COPEMA’s launch signaled a renewed political will across Africa to tackle malaria, which claims over 600,000 lives annually, with 95% of these deaths occurring in Africa. The coalition aims to leverage political leadership to drive domestic resource mobilization, leverage new innovations in malaria prevention, and ensure context-specific, data-driven, and equitably delivered interventions.
By mobilizing parliamentarians across the continent, COPEMA is set to make a meaningful impact in the fight against malaria. With the commitment of parliamentarians and the support of COPEMA, there is hope that one day malaria will be eliminated on the continent. The road ahead will not be easy, but with collective action and dedication, the prospects for progress are promising.
As COPEMA continues its work, it is essential to sustain the momentum and ensure that malaria control remains a priority on the national agenda. With COPEMA’s efforts, the people of Africa can look forward to a brighter, healthier future.
Claudette Chin
