Kufuor named Special Envoy for Neglected Tropical Diseases control worldwide

The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (Global Network), a major initiative of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, on April 17, 2012 appointed Ghana’s former President John A. Kufuor as the organization’s new neglected tropical disease (NTD) Special Envoy.

The announcement was made at a luncheon hosted by the Global Network and the African Union in Washington DC to honor the former Ghanian president for his political and humanitarian achievements in Africa and throughout the world.

“We are truly honoured to have President Kufuor join our cause,” said Dr. Neeraj Mistry, Managing Director of the Global Network in a statement posted on the organisation’s website.

As the Global Network’s NTD Special Envoy, the statement said Mr Kufuor will travel internationally to educate donor governments on the global NTD burden and the impact of treatment and research.

“He will encourage donor governments to incorporate NTD control into existing global health or cross-sectoral development programmes. Kufuor will initially target countries with strong track records of global health investment and commitments to multilateral organizations like the Global Fund and GAVI,” it said.

Dr. Neeraj Mistry hoped that through Kufuor’s engagement, endemic and donor countries will work together to achieve the level of support and funds needed for NTD control and elimination by 2020.

NTDs cause blindness, massive swelling in appendages and limbs, severe malnutrition and anemia.  They are a leading cause of pregnancy complications among women and are a key source of poverty by reducing school attendance among children and worker productivity for adults.

By Ekow Quandzie