Speak Up Africa’s GO BEYOND brings new voices into the fight to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases

(30 January 2025) Dakar, Senegal – On World NTD Day 2025, Speak Up Africa is answering the global call to “Unite, Act, Eliminate” with its GO BEYOND initiative. Pushing the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) into uncharted territory by mobilizing a diverse coalition of voices. From artists to athletes to those living with and affected by NTDs, with a strong focus on women and youth, GO BEYOND aims to build a community movement to encourage better prioritization of NTDs on the health agenda, increased investments and a more person-centred community approach to NTD solutions, for the more than 1 billion people worldwide affected by these preventable and treatable diseases in a continent that shoulders 40% of the disease burden.

World NTD Day is a time to celebrate the progress achieved – twenty-two African nations having eliminated at least one NTD, with several eliminating multiple, highlighting the continent’s strong commitment to public health. The world is now halfway to reaching the WHO NTD roadmap 2030 target of 100 countries, eliminating at least one NTD by 2030.

This day is also an opportunity to tackle the challenges ahead of us: health systems strengthening, the link between NTDs and climate change in a world facing increasing environmental changes and the lack of person-centred and community-led approaches.

The GO BEYOND initiative explores new opportunities in the fight against NTDs by involving the people and communities affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We harness their invaluable expertise and ensure solutions are tailored to actual needs. We challenge and GO BEYOND traditional approaches to health advocacy by encouraging cross-sector collaboration, amplifying community voices, and fostering inclusive partnerships. These champions exemplify the power of diversity, setting a new standard for what it means to unite, act, and eliminate NTDs.

“Through GO BEYOND, we are amplifying the voices of artists, athletes, and community leaders across Africa to transform how we fight neglected tropical diseases. By bringing these diverse perspectives to decision-makers, we’re building the political momentum and grassroots engagement needed to eliminate NTDs once and for all” says Yacine Djibo, Executive Director and Founder of Speak Up Africa

For World NTD Day, the GO BEYOND initiative will bring together youth leaders, musicians and artists across Senegal, Kenya, and Ethiopia and connect communities through the power of sport in Benin and Senegal. In partnership with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), young people will learn how to prevent and tackle NTDs in their communities and their opponents on the court by competing in a basketball match. Communities across Niger, Burkina Faso, and Kenya will also host workshops and health screenings to raise awareness and improve detection in their communities.

Champions across Africa will unite to support the elimination of NTDs this World NTD Day by using their voices, platforms and expertise to ensure sustainability, effectiveness, and equity in the fight against NTDs.

The time for action is now. We call on world leaders to demonstrate their commitment by embedding NTD elimination targets into national health policies, allocating dedicated budget lines, and integrating NTD programs into universal health coverage plans.

Success demands a coordinated response – from governments increasing domestic funding, to private sector partners investing in innovative treatment delivery, to donors sustaining their vital support. The economic cost of inaction far exceeds the price of elimination.

Together, we must GO BEYOND traditional approaches and forge new partnerships that put affected communities at the center of solutions. This World NTD Day, join us in building a future where tropical diseases are no longer neglected.