by Reneska Moodley
In a groundbreaking webinar as part of Africa Communications Week, Target Malaria presented a detailed overview of their innovative communication strategies for advancing malaria research in Africa. The event was a significant step in disseminating knowledge about disruptive science communication tools tailored to engage stakeholders at both community and national levels.
Morgan Danielou, Head of Global Communications at Target Malaria, opened the session by outlining the webinar’s agenda and introducing the project. “Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research initiative bringing together scientists, social scientists, and community engagement experts from Africa, Europe, and North America,” said Danielou. “Our goal is to develop genetic technologies to combat malaria, which continues to be a major health burden in Africa, causing nearly 600,000 deaths annually.”
Project Overview and Goals
Danielou provided a comprehensive introduction to Target Malaria, emphasising the project’s focus on genetic modification of mosquitoes to reduce malaria transmission. The initiative targets three mosquito species—Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles coluzzii, and Anopheles arabiensis—responsible for most malaria transmission in Africa. Highlighting the project’s scale, Danielou noted that in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Uganda, malaria infections and deaths remain alarmingly high.
Innovative Communication Approaches
Divine Dzokoto from Target Malaria Ghana discussed the project’s communication strategies. “Our objective is to gain support for gene drive mosquitoes as a vital tool for malaria control and to establish Target Malaria as a credible voice in malaria research,” Dzokoto explained. The communication approach is grounded in African voices, ensuring authenticity and cultural relevance. Ethical considerations include truthfulness, transparency, and accuracy in all communications.
Stakeholder Engagement at the Community Level
Souleymane Kekele from Target Malaria Burkina Faso detailed the tools developed for community engagement. “We use anthropological videos, local language theatre performances, and micro-programmes to simplify complex scientific concepts and engage communities effectively,” Kekele shared. These tools help build knowledge about malaria and the project, fostering trust and collaboration.
National Level Stakeholder Engagement
Richard Linga from Target Malaria Uganda highlighted the communication tools used for national level engagement. “We produce video presentations, virtual tours of insectaries, and voices from the field segments to showcase our work and engage stakeholders,” Linga said. These tools are available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility and understanding.
The webinar emphasised the importance of tailored communication strategies in gaining support for innovative malaria control technologies. Target Malaria’s commitment to engaging communities and stakeholders through culturally appropriate and evidence-based communication tools was evident throughout the presentations.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to engage directly with the presenters. One notable discussion centered on the use of various communication tools in Burkina Faso to prepare communities for the release of genetically modified mosquitoes. Kekele highlighted the effectiveness of using visual and local language tools to build community knowledge and support.
The Target Malaria webinar was a pivotal moment in showcasing the power of disruptive science communication in malaria research. By leveraging innovative tools and ensuring community-centric engagement, Target Malaria is setting a precedent for how complex scientific initiatives can be effectively communicated and supported across diverse stakeholder groups in Africa.
