The President of the Republic of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has, by proclamation, declared Saturday, April 25, 2015, as "World Malaria Day," and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.

According to the Proclamation, April 25, 2015 is the 8th World Malaria Day, which will be celebrated under the global theme: "Invest In The Future, Defeat Malaria," and the local slogan "No Mosquito, No Malaria."

The Government of the Republic of Liberia, realizing the significance of protecting the wellbeing of its citizens and foreign residents, has ratified the Convention on the Right of the Child to good health and nutrition and, as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO), will join other global health partners in supporting all health programs.

President Johnson Sirleaf has requested the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other Government Agencies, as well as International Organizations concerned to initiate and execute programs to make the occasion meaningful.

The Foreign Ministry release says in Africa, malaria deaths have been cut by one third within the last decade and outside of Africa, 35 out of the 53 countries where access to malaria control interventions have reduced cases by 50%, and in the same period, countries where access to malaria control interventions have improved most significantly, overall child mortality rates have fallen by approximately 20%.

According to research, continued investment in malaria control propels malaria-endemic countries along the path to achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, especially those relating to improving child survival and maternal health, eradicating extreme poverty and expanding access to education.

Cognizant of the harmful effect and burden malaria poses on the human race, particularly in Africa, a Resolution declaring April 25 of each year as Africa Malaria Day, amended as World Malaria Day, was adopted by the Summit of African Heads of States of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU) to initiate and implement Plans of Actions that would curtail malaria and malaria-related mortality in Africa.