Target Malaria Ghana issues a glossary on Anopheles gambiae and organisms sharing its habitat in Abutia Amegame and Mafi Agorve in the Volta Region of Ghana
One of the main reasons for Target Malaria’s work in Ghana was to establish an Anopheles gambiae ecological observatory. The project focused on the community ecology surrounding Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The information obtained was to be used to construct ecological networks surrounding Anopheles gambiae mosquito to aid in predicting the impact of eliminating or reducing this species on the rest of the ecosystem if gene drive mosquitoes were to be used as a vector control tool
As part of the establishment of the ecological observatory, the Target Malaria Ghana team developed a glossary in Ewe and English of selected organisms sampled from the project communities, Abutia Amegame and Mafi Agorve in the Volta Region of Ghana. Ewe is a language spoken by approximately 5 million people in West Africa, mainly in Togo and Ghana. The glossary served as a visual and informative reference point and showcased the various species that interact with Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in its larval, pupal and adult stages. This mosquito is one of the three mosquito species responsible for malaria transmission in Africa.
The organisms described in the glossary
The glossary features words such as “mosquito” called mu or avage in Ewe, butterfly called kpakpaluʋui and beetle called ɖuatiɖuati, among others.
The variety of species on display shows that mosquitoes do not exist in isolation; they share their environment with a variety of organisms, in the aquatic and adult stages of their lives. It is important to understand these interactions to better assess the ecological implications of reducing malaria mosquito populations.
Objectives of the glossary
There are several reasons why the development of the glossary was important. First, it enhanced awareness at the community level. Some community members were unaware of the diverse organisms that coexist with mosquitoes. By visually presenting these interactions, the glossary provided a new perspective on the local ecosystem. Second, it encouraged ownership. Finally, by involving the community in getting the local names of the species, the glossary became a shared resource, fostering a sense of participation in the research process.
A tool co-developed with communities
The most significant aspect of this initiative was the direct involvement of the community and how the glossary fostered knowledge-sharing and scientific curiosity.
The organisms were sampled with the help of some members of the communities who served as volunteers on the project because they have in-depth knowledge of the local terrain. The Target Malaria team shared images of the sampled organisms with the residents of the communities and actively sought their indigenous names.
The community engagement process revealed fascinating insights. Some residents were curious about the status of the sampled organisms, others demonstrated deep ecological knowledge in identifying and naming the organisms. The glossary serves as a bridge between scientific research and traditional ecological knowledge, and strengthens the project’s collaborative approach.
