A group of eminent African personalities pushing for an AIDS-free generation plans to co-opt former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in their fight against the disease on the continent, ex-Botswana leader Festus Mogae said on Friday.
Mogae said the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation in Africa has been discussing with Johnson-Sirleaf, with a view to bringing her on board the organisation.
“There is a pressing need to bring Champions on board and discussions have been held with HE Eileen Johnson Sirleaf. A formal response is pending,” Mogae said during a High-Level Political Dialogue on HIV/AIDS held in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to Mogae, who chairs the organisation, four of the champions have been busy with African Union and United Nations engagements and have therefore been unable to fully avail themselves to the organisation.
On other challenges, Mogae said scheduling of country visits is a challenge since it involves organising engagements with top leadership of targeted countries.
He said another challenge is raising funds other than those provided by the United States government.
“The Champions Secretariat is placing emphasis on mobilising resources through the resource mobilisation plan which aims at sustaining the work of and impact of the Champions,” he said.
The Champions for an AIDS- Free Generation are a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders committed to an AIDS-free generation.
Individually and collectively the champions rally and support regional leaders towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat.
Besides Mogae, other champions include ex-Malawian leader Joyce Banda, former Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba, ex-South African leader Kgalema Motlanthe, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, former Ugandan vice-president Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe and Miriam Were, ex-chairperson of the Kenyan National Aids Control Council.
KO/jn/APA