NEO Africa Foundation gives new meaning to "Black Star"

NEW YORK, Wednesday, April 24, 2006 - The NEO Africa Foundation (NEO), a US-based non-profit organization, has officially launched the Black Star Campaign, an ambitious initiative to transform attitudes and inspire Ghanaians towards excellence and sacrifice. The foundation aims to promote patriotic virtues and attitudes in Ghanaians through an extensive media campaign.

The campaign (website: www.iamablackstar.org) will involve inspirational television profiles of prominent Ghanaians and unsung heroes who are making a difference in their communities. These individuals will be featured as 'Black Stars' worthy of emulation by all Ghanaians. The launch comes barely two months before Ghana's first match at the World Cup in Germany.

'Although this was inspired by Ghana's qualification for the World Cup, it should not be confused with ongoing initiatives to support the national team or profit from their qualification,' stated Daniel Osei-Antwi, one of the founders of the organization. 'Our agenda is very different, but our message is simple; Ghana will be stronger if each of us aspires to be a Black Star, by cultivating the same discipline, selflessness and service to man and country that we demand from our footballers.'

To engage Ghanaians in the Diaspora, an online version of the campaign has been set up at www.iamablackstar.org. All campaign-related programming on Ghana television will be uploaded on the website, which also provides an opportunity for public support through wristband sales.

'NEO consists of 15 Ghanaians in their mid-twenties,' explained Rosy Fynn, a member of the group and a student at Harvard Business School. 'We're starting the campaign out of our own pockets, for the duration of the World Cup. However, with support from like-minded individuals and corporations, we will extend it through the end of the year and turn it into an inspirational platform for ushering in Ghana's golden jubilee celebrations in 2007.'

This is the second major initiative that has been launched by the fledgling organization. In May 2005, the foundation launched 1-Paycheck-4-Ghana, to encourage young Ghanaian professionals abroad to make annual financial commitments towards impact-driven projects for underprivileged youth in Ghana. More information is available at www.neoafricafoundation.org.