TRANSCRIPTION OF INTERVIEW WITH VICE PRESIDENT OF NGOs IN
MALARIA AND BOARD MEMBER, NATIONAL COALITION OF NGOs IN HEALTH,
GHANA-SAMUEL ORACCA-TTTEH
Interviewer: So how much are you involved with malaria control programme or
activities?
ORACCA-TETTEH: I have been involved with NGO work and for that matter malaria
prevention for the past 14-years.
With regards to the NGO work, we are supposed to be doing a lot of work in fighting
malaria because we are on the ground and we are serious involved because we are
on the ground
because without us, the Ghana Health Services who are the
technical people would not be able to achieve whatever they want to, with regards
to reduction of malaria or control and prevention so we are seriously involved.
Interviewer: Once you said you are involved, it means you are on the ground.
There's so much talk about malaria control program. There's a whole office in
charge under the Ghana Health Service. Do you think you are satisfied with the
results on the ground especially comparing the work of the Programme and that of
the NGOs? Are you satisfied?
ORACCA-TETTEH: [00:01:16] Yeah with regards to results, I am not satisfied
because we are doing our best but like I'm saying, it should be a holistic sort of
approach where key stakeholders should all be part of the work Because we are not
getting all on board, I am not satisfied because fighting malaria is a holistic work to
do.
I think the resources that we have been given does not correspond with
the results on the ground.
Interviewer: But it appears it’s only the National Malaria Control Programme that
seems to be in charge. Nobody seems to be closer to the Programme. They control
the affairs. They do things as they wish.
ORACCA-TETTEH:[00:02:10] By policy, so far as health is concerned, they have
been assigned ; I mean they have been put in charge of malaria issues. Definitely,
you find them being the main lead organization under the Ghana Health Service to
work on issues so far as malaria prevention and cntrol is concern.[He juggles]
`So like you are saying, they are the main architects so its like from the top to the
bottom, they are to come out with the policies.
Interviewer: This is the craziest of all the questions?
ORACCA-TETTEH: Ideally, left to me alone, me I am not satisfied because the work
is huge so a lot of us[NGOS ] should be rolled on board to be doing a lot of work
everywhere within the country. Even to the remotest parts of the country because
let me quote Sheik I.C Quaye, the Parliamentarian. He cited it away that the

 mosquito doesn't need a visa to fly anywhere. So it means malaria `is everywhere
and its at every corner.
Interviewer: So beyond you suggesting that some of you should have been brought
on board, is there any other thing that the control program can do also satisfy you?
ORACCA-TETTEH: Like I mentioned earlier, I think due to some resource
constraints, they themselves are also are not able to rol a lot of us onto it.
[00:05:44] So here, I want to suggest to the powers that be, that malaria is an
illness that we should not joke with. The moment you are affected by malaria, if you
care is not taken, the next moment you are gone. Look at the under fives, within a
short time, they are gone. Malaria kills faster than even HIV and AIDS and other
diseases. So we need a lot of resources. I mean government must push in a lot of
resources so that we can do a lot of work.
Interviewer: But we all know that the National Malaria Control Programme receives
even external donor support for such activities. And the monies involved I am not
privy to the money but you are closer to the Programme so I assume that you are
privy to how much the Programme receives on a yearly basis.
ORACCA-TETTEH: [00:07:15] With regards to money coming to the National
Malaria Control Programme, I am not privy to that information Even when you look
at their report, you only have budgets that they have outlined which they are going
to work with but the actual donor support or funds that come, we are not privy to it
so sometimes some of those issues, it become difficult to do analysis on it.
`Interviewer: But it is not surprising that CSO[Civil Society Organizations]and you
are supposed to be the voice of the voiceless; is it not surprising that you don't have
idea of how much the National office receives?
ORACCA-TETTEH:[00:08:10] You know Ghana, most of the time when it comes to
issues of money, it becomes a bit of a problem for people at the `top there letting
you know what's actually in there. We have such problem because quickly people
will start doing their own analysis probably the nitty gritty that goes to those
funds people are not aware. So that's where the challenge is. So I believe that if
monies received are made known and then activities that is suppose for
the these monies to take car of are also made known, it become easier for people to
track it, for people contribute and then their quota. There's a problem with the
release of information so most of the time, I used to say this Right to Information Bill
is still sitting there how many years now? `It is hard time the bill must be passed
and we look at the way forward.
Interviewer: Is it a way to say that you have not even asked for those details and
then maybe you were not given or you asked and you were not given?

 ORACCA-TETTEH: You request for some of these things and then it might take
days. You might pursue and that sort of thing. Infact if you are not very lucky, you
might not able to get it. It also boils down to like I'm saying, something must be
done. If the Right to Informational Bill is passed, then that one is then definitely
nobody can say that the information you are looking for, I will not give it to you
because there is a law going in that direction so it would be easier.
[00:14:13] So definitely when it goes this direction, transparency becomes
questionable because definitely if somebody will have to talk about it and doesn’t
know where the money is coming from, how it is being used and stuffs like that,
then `there's a gap. So I am of the view that, these gaps should be closed. Things
should be made clear and then [people, credibility and stuffs like that will also
comes on board.
Interviewer: Now issue with how we are implementing the various interventions.
Let's look at treated nets. I have gone to places where people use it for all sort of
activities. You are also on the ground may be my observation could be wrong. Do
you think my experience; is it the reality on the ground?
ORACCA-TETTEY:[00:15:21] Yes. It's a reality on the ground. i have also been going
round and to those communities and- it's interesting that the Ghanaian attitude you
know, it’s so bad. Look at the donor money which has been used `in `purchasing
these bed nets to prevent malaria. The Ghanaian has also decided to use it for
otherwise.
[00:15:52] It’s serious. So here, I am of the view that, the assemblies together with
the health directorates in all the districts must come together to fight this canker.
[00:16:10] This is why sometimes I also believe that when things are free, people
don't value it. But in this case, the donor feels that those things should be free so
that it could reach every corner; very Ghanaian should be able to access it just by
stretching the hand. But here is a case it is being abused so once it is being abused;
we should also find means of bringing those people to book.
[00:16:53] So if the assemblies can come out with some by-laws that people who
are using these mosquito nets for farming, for agricultural purposes should be made
to face some sanctions.
[00:17:09] I think it will deter them from using the nets so that it would be used for
its purposes that is intended for.
Interviewer: Does it also mean that, the National Malaria Control Programme which
is in charge of coordinating malaria activities has failed in its direction to sensitize
the people to know the proper and correct use of the treated net?
ORACCA-TETTEH: I bet to differ a bit because the way the NGOs we are on the
ground.

 Interviewer: I'm not cutting you short. Even several people out there don't know the
causes of malaria and what to do to prevent malaria and also to manage it.
ORRACCA-TETTEH: Like I am saying, this calls for a holistic `intervention. Most of
the time, programs which come up if you rightly for the word go you don't involve
the main stakeholders, I mean those on the ground at the community level, it
becomes a problem for a successful intervention of such programs.
[00:18:29] So for now, I believe that, we should continuously enroll them on; for
them to be owners of some of these interventions.
Interviewer: Who are the main stakeholders?
ORACCA-TETTEH: I'm talking in terms of the beneficiaries at the grassroots. They
should be owners of the programme. For instance, the issue that we are discussing;
where a task force is formed to make sure nets are not used for agricultural
purposes. You put those influential community as part of the taskforce. For instance
if the Odikuro [chief] is the chairman of the taskforce, and per the law from the
district, definitely he will not like his name to be mentioned or to be accomplices
with some of these things. They will work. So that's another strategy we can use.
The National Malaria Control Programme, they are up there but some of these
things that happen in the communities, they may not be privy to it but like you are
saying, it is a reality; it is there.
Interviewer: For the whole of 2014, only 190 people on admission died of malaria I
mean those at the hospitals. Do you believe that this is a correct figure?
ORACCA-TETTEH: I believe these are figures from the institutions, health facilities
and they have been collected and sent. And then, what about those ones which
were not captured? So the figure is there alright even the 190 we shouldn't jubilate
over it because if you look at other regions, theirs are higher but we shouldn't
jubilate because one loss of life is an issue. So as a journalist I believe sometimes
you can cross-check some of these figures from the district level to be able to track
so that at the end of the day whether that is the actual figures, which have been
collected. And then again, when you come to health facilities, you have the public
and the private. And you know that the private, they are even more than that of the
public. They are all operating in the various districts. I don't know whether
information of this nature they were also captured but most of the time data
collection from becomes a problem. If they are covered and their input is also part
of these 190, I don't have a problem. But if it's not, then there is a serious gap
which means that the 190 becomes a bit questionable.
Interviewer: But in your own estimation, do you think only 190 people died of
malaria in our hospitals?
ORACCA-TETTEH: [00:24:33] I doubt it. That’s why I'm saying that data collection
in Ghana is a problem. It's a big issue so virtually I doubt it. It could be a bit higher

 but this figure I believe is coming from the facilities. So what about other facilities
which were not covered? This is where the bone of contention; almighty question
mark is. `I believe it could be more than this. Yes.
COMMUNICATION/EDUCATION DRIVES
Interviewer: Is it the current situation that more NGOs are not being involved. It's
only the National Malaria Control Programme and for that matter Ghana Health
Service doing everything on its own?
ORACCA-TETTEH: The work of NGOs, that one is there already. Because the
activities that NGOs does Ghana Health Service when they add it up to their
activities, what they are even doing now; they are having serious challenges so they
can't add up. But what I'm suggesting is that, more organizations should be rolled
on so that it becomes a bit easier. These days as I mentioned the funds because of
limited fund; that one is another issue. So I am suggesting that government should
support and then corporate organizations should also come on board. And
then corporate organizations should also come on board so that they can support.
We are always looking up to government and government resources are so limited.
Even
with
donor
support,
they
are
also
limited.
Our
corporate
organizations, they should also as part of their corporate social responsibilities, also
support. In terms of fighting malaria, I want to suggest to all the media [radio]
stations, for instance Kumasi, a lot of fm stations are all over. I have lost count. Just
imagine. 42 Fm stations. So if every station everyday about 15-minutes on malaria
issues, I think it would be drumming into peoples' ears.
Interviewer: Look at this well. We are talking about budget for education which I
believe go down well to sensitize the people. Out of Gh1, 624,205 budgeted for
communication, only Gh 315,000 was spent. Should we blame journalists or the
media houses or we should blame the National Malaria Control Programme because
if you are talking about tackling malaria-prevention and control. Then you should be
looking at how to disseminate information, educate people. But if you budgeted for
this to be spent on education and look at how much was spent, and look at how
much is left, is this not serious issue?
ORACCA-TETTEH: Looking at it, what prevented them [National Malaria Control
Programme] from [spending] the difference because if you look at the variance,
then it means a lot of money is sitting down there. Why that? That is what I don't
understand. So where would that money then go? That is why I'm saying some of
these things need to be tracked. Because if the money is there, give it out for
implementers on the ground, the NGOs to use it. But if we are not able to spend
what has been given to you or what you have, then it becomes a problem. Then
another issue, these figures on the budget, did they receive them or not? ` If the

 money came and only a fraction was used, the rest left behind what can we do
about it? It has to be re-channeled.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Recently we were at a a programme and previously, the way we were applying for
funds has changed a bit. I think that is due to Global Fund's new modalities. It was
published in the papers which it is under the Procurement Department of the Ghana
Health Services. Previously it used to be the National Malaria Control Programme
who have been doing all these things on their own but now the paradigm has
shifted. So it’s the Procurement Department which has taken over all these things.
We went through Procurement procedures and 180 expression of interest from the
NGOs countrywide. We went through it; again they have to shortlist and it was
reduced to 111. That one those who were shortlisted were supposed to bring their
full proposals and then looking at that one too would be reduced to 61. So this is
where the challenge is. Meaning also that, our NGOs need to update themselves to
certain standards so that we would be able to meet some of these standards to be
able to be engaged to do this sort of work.
Interviewer: This also means that now Global Fund wants to deal directly with
NGOs than to deal with the National Malaria Control Programme playing the role of
middle man. May be the Global Fund also think that something is not working well.
ORACCA -TETTEH: I think so because looking at these processes that NGOs went
through; this is the first of its kind. For all you know, development partners they also
do their own research to find out whether their funds that the sending t the various
countries are being used for its intended purposes. So probably in one of their
findings they realized that they have to bring in all these so that credible
organisations would be doing the work. This boils up to the fact that NGOs should be
able to update themselves to international standards.
Interviewer: Do you think money that we receive as funding for malaria control
program will use the money for its intended purpose being Ghana Health Service or
the National Malaria Control Programme.
ORACCA-TETTEH: With regards to figures that we are reading now for National
Malaria Control Programme then you can see that all funds are not used intended
for what is meant for. This is the gap we need to probably analyze and then look out
for why at that level, there is a lot of variance or monies left untouched because it
is meant to finance all activities but unfortunately at the end of the day some are
left. With the development partners when some of these monies are not used, they
will ask you repatriate those monies.

 Interviewer: So you mean nobody can embezzle or misappropriate funds of this
nature?
ORACCA-TETTEH: It's a bit dicey here. I can’t stick my neck out to say whether it
can be appropriated or misuse or misapplied or whatever. Because the donor will
also act its eye opened with an eagle eye watching so I'm of the view that monies
which are budgeted for certain interventions must be used accordingly so that we
have the right benefits from it.
Interviewer: There are also fears that treated nets and even the malaria drugs
could be diverted or even sold on the market just for profiteering sake.
ORACCA-TETTEH: Yes you know the Ghanaian attitude. The Ghanaian attitude so
some of these things as I said earlier one need to be tracked and then at the end of
the day you would be able to say that these monies have been used for its actual
intended purpose.