Scientific leadership and the fight against mosquitoes: The case of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Marie Sklodowska-Curie, the trailblazing physicist who won two Nobel Prizes, once remarked, “Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.

Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.” This profound statement from the woman who discovered polonium and radium highlights a timeless truth: understanding is the key to solving humanity’s greatest fears.

In today’s world, scientific research stands as a beacon of hope, shining light on the unknown and dispelling fears through innovation and discovery. By deepening our knowledge, we confront challenges that once seemed insurmountable.

But these breakthroughs don’t come by chance; they are often the result of visionary leadership, which steers scientific efforts toward meaningful, transformative solutions.

GAEC’s battle against malaria

In this spirit of leadership and discovery, the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has made significant strides in a battle that affects millions of lives: the fight to control mosquito populations in support of efforts to ultimately eliminate malaria in Ghana.

With malaria being a major health burden in Ghana, BNARI’s research focuses on developing the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to reduce mosquito populations. This technique involves sterilising male mosquitoes through irradiation and releasing them into the wild.

The sterile males mate with wild females, preventing them from reproducing, thereby gradually shrinking the mosquito population, and ultimately the transmission of malaria.

This cutting-edge research is more than a theoretical exercise. BNARI has been actively conducting field studies, including a recent assessment of mosquito diversity, population size and disease transmission in communities along the Volta Lake.

These studies are crucial in determining the most effective approach to implement SIT on a larger scale, moving from laboratory experiments to real-world applications.

While SIT is a flagship project, GAEC’s efforts don’t stop there. In 2022, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, BNARI inaugurated an experimental hut station in Atatam, a rural community in the Adansi-Asokwa District in the Ashanti Region. This project, developed in collaboration with the Centre for Research in

Infectious Diseases (CRID) in Cameroon, allows researchers to test insecticides used in indoor residual sprays (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).

The experimental hut station comes in the wake of BNARI’s 2021 study, which uncovered significant insecticide resistance among Anopheles mosquitoes in Atatam.

This discovery has propelled efforts to find more effective interventions, particularly in areas where traditional methods of mosquito control are no longer working.

Further research in 2022 revealed that 25 per cent of mosquito breeding sites in Kwabenya harboured malaria vectors, highlighting the ongoing threat to residents in these areas.

A global challenge

GAEC’s work is part of a broader global effort to combat malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.  The World Health Organisation (WHO), along with national governments and research institutions, continues to lead initiatives such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets and the development of vaccines.

The RTS, S/AS01, and R21/Matrix-M vaccines, recently recommended for malaria prevention, represent a promising step forward in reducing the disease’s burden.

Moreover, genetic engineering offers new avenues of hope. Scientists are exploring the release of genetically modified mosquitoes that are either sterile or carry genes to inhibit the transmission of deadly pathogens.

These advanced techniques, alongside traditional control measures, bring renewed optimism in the fight against mosquitoes.

The world’s deadliest creature

It’s hard to believe that such a tiny insect could wield such destructive power. Yet, mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths annually than any other creature, resulting in over 725,000 deaths each year. Diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika and yellow fever spread through mosquito bites, with malaria alone accounting for more than 400,000 deaths annually, mostly in children under five.

Mosquitoes are vectors, transmitting pathogens from one person to another through their bites. When a mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests the pathogens along with the blood.

These pathogens then multiply inside the mosquito and are transmitted to the next person it bites, creating an efficient and deadly cycle of disease transmission.

Beyond health: The economic impact

The consequences of mosquito-borne diseases extend beyond health. Malaria alone contributes to significant economic burdens in affected regions. Families face medical expenses, loss of income and sometimes, the loss of loved ones.

On a broader scale, economies suffer from decreased productivity, higher healthcare costs and limited participation of the workforce.

The road ahead

The efforts of GAEC and its global partners give hope that one day, the world’s deadliest creature will no longer pose such a dire threat.

True to Marie Curie’s words, the path forward lies in understanding—not fear. Through scientific leadership, we are inching closer to a future where the mosquito’s deadly reign may finally come to an end.

This is not just a fight for Ghana but a global mission. And with science leading the way, victory is within sight.

The writers are an Assistant Research Scientist and a Communications and Public Relations Professional respectively with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.