The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) which has its headquarters in Ghana, has held a historic handover ceremony in Accra to make way for the newly elected Board Members of SAA to take over from the old Board members.
The election of the new Board members of SAA is meant to push forward the objective of facilitating and working towards prevention, control and management of HIV/AIDS throughout Africa.
The transparent ceremony saw the old Board of SAA, which was led by its President Professor Robert Soudre from Cote D'Ivoire, handing over all documentations on behalf of the outgoing Board to the incoming President, Dr. Ihab Ahmed from Egypt.
The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) was founded in 1990 in Nairobi, Kenya by 20 leading African Scientists who were working in HIV/AIDS.
SAA is dedicated to working towards prevention, control and management of HIV/AIDS throughout Africa. SAA is the main organizer of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa. This organization is the custodian of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA).
The International AIDS Society (IAS) had a sporadic relationship with SAA until 2004. In 2004, IAS and SAA signed an agreement for IAS support in organizing the 15th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa. IAS was able to channel fundraising to these conferences through the Gates Foundation.
In recent years, IAS has collaborated with SAA and ICASA aiding in the establishment of the democratic elections for the SAA council and also has assisted the SAA to become a more credible, democratic and relevant organization and supported the conference organizing process.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the outgoing President of SAA, Professor Robert Soudre, commended the outgoing board for the good work done so far during their term of service.
He said the dedicated service and stewardship they exhibited indeed went a long way to help SAA facilitate its core objective of mitigating HIV/AIDS in Africa.
“Over the past years in office, we have demonstrated the need for more proactive approaches in helping to prevent, control and manage HIV/AIDS in Africa. This, we have done, through the support and commitment by our various stakeholders, civil society organizations, UNAIDS, WHO, Ghana AIDS Commission among others,” Prof. Soudre stated.
In this direction, he expressed utmost gratitude particularly to Ghana AIDS Commission, WHO, UNAIDS, and all other UN agencies working for the good cause of preventing HIV/AIDS for the support and partnerships he and his team received throughout their term of office.
Professor Soudre charged the incoming SAA President and his team to as much as possible work harder to improve and touch lives in the prevention and management of the deadly HIV/AIDS.
The newly-elected SAA President, Dr. Ihab Ahmed, delivering his official address commended Professor Robert Soudre for the transparent and democratic legacy he took SAA through especially the manner in which the elections were held as well as the open handover event.
“I would like to thank Professor Robert Soudre for the open transparency of his administration and visible leadership exhibited and I believe these achievements and legacy would be built upon under my leadership,” Dr. Ahmed pledged and assured.
He further expressed his appreciation to the Ghana AIDS Commission led by its Director-General, Dr. Angela El-Adas for supporting the SAA secretariat located in Accra and also thanked all supporting agencies and partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In an interview with ModernGhana, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, who stood in for the President of Ghana and the Minister of Health at the ceremony, also lauded the achievements of the outgoing President of SAA, Professor Robert Soudre for the enormous contributions so far.
“The Headquarters of SAA in Ghana alone, has shown that Ghana has always demonstrated its readiness to lead Africa in all endeavours of development which the fight to prevent and manage HIV/AIDS in Africa is no exception,” she stated.
Dr. Angela El-Adas further assured the new Board of her continued commitment and support to ensure that SAA worked and carried out its goal and purpose for which it was established.
She was optimistic the coming of the new leadership represents a new dawn and chapter opened for SAA hoping that SAA would grow to greater heights.
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