Our local coordinator, Mr. Gabriel Owusu, and I set out to the village of Yawkoko (Ghana) on December 10, 2005. The village had already been sprayed, to rid it of mosquitoes. |
 Delivering bed nets to Yawkoko Village |
Bed nets had been purchased and we were on our way to deliver them to the village and to supervise their distribution to the people by the Village Development Council.<On the outskirts of the village, we were met by a rapturous crowd in celebratory mood. They had gathered under a huge billboard which read: “YAWKOKO: MALARIA-FREE ZONE. HEDGE FUNDS-FREE AFRICA FOUNDATION PROJECT. ADOPTED BY THE TANNENBAUM FAMILY. |
 A rapturous welcome |
A throng of smartly clad village children carried placards and signs, expressing the sentiments of the village people. |
 Happy village children waving placards and signs |
One sign read, “Welcome Mosquito nets, Goodbye Malaria.” Another read, “No More Malaria,” and “Yawkoko Is Now Malaria-Free.” |
 A cross section of the village gathering |
 Another cross section of the village gathering |
 A panoramic view of the village gathering |
| We were joined by two masquerades, who looked more like the voodoo fetish I saw in Couco-Codji, Benin. They were conically-shaped objects, resembling octopuses, but made of straw. Cavorting and swaying from side to side, they glided along the ground and led us to an open square where the entire village had gathered. They cheered thunderously as we approached. |
| The Masquerades Welcoming Us to the Village |
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 Dr. George Ayittey addressed the gathering |
I stressed in my address to the village gathering that the bed nets were not to be sold. The villagers – especially the children – were to sleep in them. I reiterated the warning from the Chief that anyone caught selling the bed nets will be dealt severely with.
I also stressed the importance of the villagers taking the initiative themselves to improve sanitation at the village and not sit back, expecting the government or some American benefactor to come and do it for them. As an incentive to get them to help themselves, I indicated to them that I would be more than willing to consider any projects they start themselves that are aimed at malaria-eradication in their village. |
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Dr. Ayittey presents the bed nets to the Chief (with white hair) and the Village Development Council. There were bed nets for everyone. |
 Villagers were happy to receive anti-malarial drugs |
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 There was much joy and dancing by the kids |
 And one sign expressed it all: They were very GRATEFUL!
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George B.N. Ayittey, Ph.D.
Washington, DC |
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| Malaria Free Zone Home |
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