My son's life was tragically cut short after what was meant to be a joyous holiday in Ghana and Kenya. He passed away due to malaria, a disease that is entirely preventable with the right precautions. This loss has left a void in our family that can never be filled, and I am determined to prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy.

Malaria is a serious and often life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide, but it is particularly prevalent in parts of Africa, including Ghana and Kenya. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 alone, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria globally, leading to approximately 627,000 deaths. The disease is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, but it can be effectively prevented when travelers take appropriate anti-malaria medication before and during their visits to high-risk areas.

Despite well-documented methods of prevention, many travelers enter countries like Ghana and Kenya without taking any malaria prophylaxis, putting themselves and others at risk. By mandating that all visitors take malaria prevention medication prior to entering these countries, we can significantly lower the incidence of imported cases and save countless lives.

I am calling upon the governments of Ghana and Kenya to implement regulations that would require proof of malaria prevention medication as part of the visa application process. This is not an unrealistic request; similar measures have proven successful with other preventable diseases, like yellow fever, where travelers must present a vaccination certificate upon entry into certain countries.

Implementation of this policy would serve to protect both travelers and the local populations. It would raise awareness about the seriousness of the disease and drive more consistent compliance with preventive measures, ultimately reducing the spread of malaria.

I urge you to help protect the lives of families and individuals who might unknowingly be at risk. Let us ensure that no more lives are lost to a disease that can be prevented with such simple steps. By signing this petition, you will be supporting an initiative to safeguard the health and well-being of both temporary visitors and residents alike. Please sign the petition today to make travel to Ghana and Kenya safer for everyone.