Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 28, - The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, on
Sunday joined her counterparts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to endorse a
communiqué that enjoins countries to do more to reduce HIV and AIDS in Africa.
This was held in a Closed Session
as part of the 20th Ordinary General Assembly of the Organisation of African
First Ladies (OAFLA) ongoing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The meeting follows an Open
Session held on the previous day and attended by representatives of the five
regional blocks; Western, Eastern, Southern, Northern and Central Africa, which
enabled the first ladies to adopt the minutes of the 19th Ordinary Session held
in July last year.
The Biannual Assembly is held in
January and July of every year under the Chairmanship of the OAFLA President.
Mrs Roman Tasfaye, the First Lady
of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is chairing the Assembly as the
President of OAFLA on the theme: “Transforming Africa through Prioritising
Children, Adolescents and Mothers in the Fight against HIV.”
During the sessions, the Ghana
News Agency observed that Mrs Akufo-Addo, who joined OAFLA a year ago due to
her status as Ghana’s First Lady, has warmed herself faster into the activities
of the Organisation, which is to advocate for the eliminating of HIV infections
by 2030, and promote the overall development of Africa’s citizens.
She was seen to be actively
participating in technical discussions and asking the relevant questions.
Mrs Akufo-Addo was also seen
warmly fraternising with her other counterparts on the side-lines of the
meetings, amidst a number of photo sessions.
During her maiden attendance last
year, Mrs Akufo-Addo was given the role of chairing the Steering Committee
Meeting and also elected in the closed door session as a member of the Steering
Committee to serve a two-year term.
The current session of OAFLA
started on January 27 and would end the 30th, alongside the General Assembly of
the African Union (AU).
Other first ladies attending the
General Assembly include Mrs Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta, the Kenyan First Lady,
and Mrs Hinda Deby Itno, the Chadian First Lady, among many others who form the
31 active membership out of the 42 registered countries of OAFLA.
The OAFLA General Assembly, held
twice every year, allows the first ladies to brief each other about their
activities to improve the fight against HIV and AIDS in their respective
countries.
It is also for the OAFLA Secretariat
to brief members on what it had done and how they had supported country offices
to improve upon their HIV response.
Mrs Akufo-Addo later joined
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the AU General Assembly Meeting, being
attended by the Heads of State and their spouses, ministers of state and
government officials earlier Sunday afternoon.
The main OAFLA General Assembly
Open Session would be held on Monday, January 29, where Mrs Akufo-Addo would be
sharing with her counterparts how she had personally contributed to the fight
against HIV and AIDS, especially towards the elimination of Mother-to-Child
Transmission.
GNA
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