Mary Yeboah Asantewaa : drones in the fight against Malaria

Mary Yeboah Asantewaa is a rising figure in the field of public health in Africa. Currently serving as Head of African Affairs at SORA Technology, a Japanese company specializing in the use of innovative technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence to enhance health system management, Mary is establishing herself as a pioneer in the fight against malaria on the continent. Her mission: to support African countries in the complete eradication of this disease by 2030. As she emphasizes, “We are aligned with the vision of a total eradication of malaria by 2030.”

Originally from Ghana, Mary has come a long way before joining SORA Technology. She was a recipient of the prestigious Japan Africa Dream Scholarship from the African Development Bank. This scholarship, funded by the Japanese government, allowed her to pursue a master’s degree in public health management at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan. Through this program, she was able to not only acquire solid academic skills but also develop a professional network and gain access to internship opportunities related to her aspirations.

One of Mary’s major achievements at SORA Technology is the integration of drones and artificial intelligence in the monitoring and management of mosquito larvae, the vectors of malaria. By using drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, the company can map water bodies, identify at-risk areas, and intervene in a targeted manner, thereby reducing costs by 70% compared to traditional methods. Mary explains, “Thanks to our drones and artificial intelligence, we save on labor costs and get good data, allowing us to reduce costs by 70%.” This innovative approach is already being implemented in several African countries, including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans for expansion to other countries on the continent.

My dream of using drones is not just to save lives in emergency situations, but to fundamentally strengthen public health systems in Africa

Mary’s journey reflects her commitment to transforming health systems in Africa. She emphasizes the importance of cutting-edge technologies, not only to combat malaria but also to strengthen public health infrastructures in the face of other challenges, such as those posed by infectious diseases or natural disasters. Her dream of using drones to save lives extends beyond delivering medical supplies to remote areas, encompassing a broader vision of modernizing public health systems. As she states, “My dream of using drones is not just to save lives in emergency situations, but to fundamentally strengthen public health systems in Africa”.

When women have access to the right opportunities, they do not just fill positions; they break barriers and open new paths

As an African woman working in the field of public health technologies, Mary breaks gender barriers and inspires a new generation of young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She is also a strong advocate for investing in women’s education, a theme close to the International Women’s Day. According to her, “When women have access to the right opportunities, they do not just fill positions; they break barriers and open new paths.”

Her commitment to returning to Ghana, despite the international opportunities available to her, reflects her determination to contribute to the development of her home country. For Mary, returning to Africa was not just an obligation linked to the scholarship she received, but a deliberate choice to apply her knowledge and skills to address urgent problems on the continent. She sees SORA Technology as a vehicle to realize this ambition, particularly in the field of public health surveillance.

Today, Mary Yeboah Asantewaa is at the forefront of efforts to eliminate malaria in Africa. Through her leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to innovation, she works tirelessly to achieve an ambitious goal: a malaria-free Africa, where cutting-edge technologies enable saving lives and improving the quality of life for populations.