Ex-President Jerry Rawlings will visit the US next week for a Global AIDS Mobilisation Strategy Session. The meeting forms part of activities of an International AIDS Trust formed by President Bill Clinton to assist in the fight against AIDS. President Rawlings had accepted Bill Clinton’s invitation to serve on the Advisory Board of the AIDS Trust.
Other members include former South African President Nelson Mandela who is a Co-Chairman, former US President Gerald Ford, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and singer Elton John.
The Trust is a new US-based NGO set up to create and seize strategic opportunities, galvanise leadership, mobilise resources and promote effective interventions in the fight against the disease.
In a letter to Flt Lt Rawlings, Bill Clinton said, his help is urgently needed to enhance the battle against the epidemic. As an eminent UN Volunteer on HIV/AIDS, former President Rawlings has been involved in AIDS sensitisation and education programmes in Botswana, Tanzania and Kenya. He has also participated in several conferences, where he has presented the African case forcefully. The International AIDS Trust will be raising funds to assist in the fight against the disease, particularly in Africa.
