Our Champions

I would like to thank Speak Up Africa for this award in recognition of my commitment to the fight against malaria in Benin. Fighting malaria requires an unwavering commitment from everyone. The Speak Up Africa Leadership Award reinforces my conviction that we must continue our efforts until every parent can see their children grow up without fear of malaria, a disease that is completely preventable and treatable.

It is an honor to receive the Speak Up Africa Leadership Award, as it reinforces the importance of an integrated approach to eliminating neglected tropical diseases and malaria. We need the leadership of everyone, especially young people, to eliminate sustainably these diseases and ensure a bright future for our fellow citizens.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Women’s and girls’ active engagement is key to achieving sustainable development in Africa. Receiving the Speak Up Africa Leadership Award is not only a great privilege, but also a powerful reminder of all that needs to be done to build a continent where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and reach their full potential.