11-year-old leaves Accra to address AU on Somalia

Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - Andrew Adansi-Bonnah, the 11-year-old pupil who embarked on a project to raise GH¢20 million to help victims of the raging famine in Somalia, has left Accra for Addis Ababa to address the African Union (AU) Pledging Conference on Thursday, August 25.

A statement signed by Kobla Asamani, Technical Adviser in Accra on Wednesday, said “Young Andrew is well poised for action to deliver his heartfelt speech on behalf of Somali and African children and women. He is expected to meet Former President Jerry John Rawlings to join hands in their campaign”.

It said Master Adansi-Bonnah received a letter from the AU to address the conference as his initiative, which began barely a month ago, received global recognition.

The statement hoped his presence would define positively the outcome of the pledging conference because his address would place great emphasises on Food Security, Accessible Health Care and Nutrition, Right to Education, Conflict Resolution and Post War reconstruction of Somalia as well as Pan Africanism.

He would also address the issues of children and women who are always the victims of conflict, wars and famine.

In an abstract of his speech to be delivered Andrew states that, “when I see horrifying pictures of women and children who are always the victims of conflict, wars and famine on the TV and internet they really touched my heart because without children and women there is no hope”.

“On this day, at this assembly, I on behalf of African Children plead with the African leadership to unite now, pledge their good support for Somalia and the horn of Africa; make good policies that will give hope to the future of the African Union. This will help the AU to manage Africa well.

“We should also not forget that children and women are suffering in Libya. Today there is famine all over the horn of Africa. The time for us to act is now,” Andrew has said in his speech.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative to Ghana, Dr Iyabode Olusanmi said UNICEF was truly proud of Andrew for his initiative and would support him at all levels of his project and future pursuits.

The Programme is supported by UNICEF Ghana, World Food Programme Ghana, the Country Awards Council – Ghana, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and rlg Communication Ghana limited, a subsidiary of AGAMS Group.