Our champions ⋆ Speak Up Africa

Pr. Awa Marie Coll-Seck

Minister of State of Senegal

Putting innovation front of stage, and building trust and engagement in it, must be at the heart of our efforts to achieve a stronger, healthier future for Africa. I am therefore proud to use my voice to ensure that our research and development sector is prioritized, to harness the collective talents of our continent’s eminent scientists and researchers.

S.E.M Mouhamadou Issoufou

Former President of the Republic of Niger

For too long, neglected tropical diseases have been associated with the economic situation of our developing countries. Yet, the cost of annual treatment is no more than CFAF 290 per person. We have all the tools we need to eradicate these diseases. It is no longer acceptable to continue to treat these diseases as neglected.

Pr. Ndioro Ndiaye

Coordinator of the Francophone Network for Gender Equality

The sustainable development of Africa will not become a reality without the active participation of women and girls. It is vital to have initiatives such as Voix EssentiELLES, which aim to provide a rallying point for civil society organizations and federate energies in an endogenous dynamic of thinking based on different experiences of women at the micro and/or local level.

Mr Serigne Mbaye Thiam

Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal

By utilizing resources such as the ASPG, countries can quickly and effectively implement policies that work for their respective regions – policies that are built to last. As Africa’s sanitation leaders, us, Ministers in charge of water and sanitation, are largely accountable for SDG 6.

Khalilou Fadiga

Ambassador-at-Large of Senegal

For me, Speak Up Africa is the number 10 in public health on the continent. Strategic and central to the game of sustainable development, this organization is a source of pride and success. It wears the captain's armband for me, and I am definitely ready to return to the field to amplify the vital and African voices that Speak Up Africa brings to the front of the international stage.

Dr Serigne Gueye Diop

Mayor of Sandiara and Adviser to the President

Municipalities must integrate menstrual health and hygiene into their plans and budgets to ensure that women and especially young girls are in good health. They are the backbone of our societies.

Sarah Diouf

Founder and Creative Director of Tongoro

Fashion has long been recognized as a way to empower women; for many of us clothes are not simply to be worn, they are also used to make a statement. I’ve worked with and dressed many inspiring and strong women throughout my career, and it’s a pleasure to do so in support of the Generation Equality Forum. Through this show, and the other activities taking place across Africa, we strive to improve gender equality and craft the continent’s future.

El Hadj Diop

Community Champion from Thienaba, Sénégal

Thanks to Speak Up Africa's support, I am able to share my story with a broader audience, across Africa and around the world. I hope by sharing my story I can inspire other people in Africa to empower their communities and strive to end malaria for good. Follow me and declare “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”.

Salomon Dopavogui

Vice President of the No to NTDs Civil Society Network - Executive Director of Jeunesse Secours Guinea

Engaging Africa’s youth, journalists and other civil society organizations to join the fight against neglected tropical diseases will be essential if we want to alleviate suffering and help the 600 million people who are impacted by this sub-set of diseases. Working together with dedicated organizations like Speak Up Africa will ensure we reach our goals, and it is a great honor to be recognized by Speak Up Africa today.

H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor

Former President of Ghana and Special Envoy for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases

I am supporting Speak Up Africa’s "No to NTDs" program because I believe no man, woman or child should have to experience these diseases and have their future taken away from them by something which is entirely preventable and treatable.

Dr. Odry AGBESSI

President of Via Me in Benin

Africa’s civil society organizations are filled with very dynamic young people who are powerful agents of change, and I am proud of the Via Me Association’s role alongside other CSOs partners in raising their voices. Campaigns like March to Kigali are critical for advocating for greater action against issues such as NTDs and malaria, and I look forward to continuing this partnership as we lead up to the Kigali Summit in 2022.

Pr. Samba Sow

Director of the Centre of Vaccine Development in Mali

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that the only way that we can address most of our health issues globally is through collaboration and equal partnerships. I am thrilled to work with organizations such as Speak Up Africa and use my expertise to educate Africans on how to prevent and treat infectious disease.

Harouna Drabo

Journalist in Burkina Faso

With their insight, Speak Up Africa has greatly supported me with my reporting in Burkina Faso. It is critical that citizens know how to protect themselves and their loved ones from NTDs. These diseases increase the socio-economic vulnerability of populations. I am glad that I can utilize my skills to raise this much needed awareness.

Rajah Sy

National Director of Special Olympics Senegal

Inclusion is a value shared by both Special Olympics Senegal and Speak Up Africa. This long-standing partnership allows us to gather our athletes through sport, improve their health and especially raise their awareness and that of their families about diseases such as COVID-19 and malaria.

Pr. Nicolas Meda

Former Minister of Health of Burkina Faso

What we need now is to rally behind partnerships like ESPEN at the World Health Organization, which contributes to financing the mass drug administration at the community level, and mobilize all sectors of society to demand an unconditional commitment to the elimination of these debilitating diseases. I believe campaigns such as No to NTDs bringing together governments, technical partners and civil society is key to moving us closer to our NTD elimination goal.

Our champions

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