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Black Stars captain and UNAIDS
Ambassador; Asamoah Gyan has described as fruitful his decision to join
the campaign to create awareness on the deadly HIV/AIDS.
The Ghana striker who jetted into southern Africa country of Malawi
on a three-day visit to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS under the
auspices of UNAIDS during a media interaction in Accra Sunday, said he
has won a lot of souls in the country.
Asamoah Gyan is the Lead Sports Celebrity for Protect the Goal in
Ghana was in Malawi to support Malawi’s invigoration of the global
‘Protect the Goal’ campaign, which was launched in Malawi at the end of
2013.
The Campaign is one in a series of activities which Malawi’s National
AIDS Commission (NAC), Joint United Nations Team on HIV and AIDS
(UNAIDS) and their partners are undertaking to re-invigorate HIV
prevention in the country, particularly among young people.
Asamoah Gyan was accompanied renowned Ghanaian jazz saxophonist Steve
Bedi who is also the ‘Protect the Goal’ Goodwill Ambassador for Ghana,
UNAIDS Communication Officer, Eunice Jonathan, Director-General of the
Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Angela El-Adas and UNAIDS Ghana Country
Director, Mr Girmay Haile.
The Black Stars captain was part of among many activities an
interactive ‘Protect the Goal’ information session with young people,
media interviews, radio talk show and a gala dinner with potential
‘Protect the Goal’ project sponsors during which Ghana’s renowned Jazz
artist Steve Bedi and Malawi’s Skeffa Chimoto will team up in a musical
collaboration.
Asamoah Gyan also attended the Standard Bank Football Cup final game
at Civo National Stadium in Lilongwe which was under the auspices of
Malawi’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in partnership with
the UNAIDS, NAC and the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).
When the team arrived in Accra Sunday, they were welcomed by the
Sports Minister, Mahama Ayariga who lauded the enormous contribution of
UNAIDS in the eradication of HIV/AIDS especially in Africa.
He pleaded government’s continuous support to the Protect the Goal
Campaign and urged them to intensify awareness among the youth.
On her part, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Angela El-Adas described the trip to Malawi as successful.
She believes the Protect the Goal Campaign which has so far collected
over 600,000 signatures of pledge from the youth would have a massive
impact on HIV/AIDS awareness.
Dr Angela El-Adas said the decision to involved top celebrities like
Asamoah Gyan has broadened the movement by encouraging his partisans to
adher to safe sex practices.
[Myjoyonline]
