The Society for AIDS in Africa elected a new executive leadership team during a handover ceremony and transition meeting held May 14–15 in Accra, Ghana, as the organization renewed calls for stronger African-led responses to HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis and emerging infectious diseases.
The meeting, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, brought together public health leaders, researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives and development partners from across the continent. The transition marked a leadership change within the organization in line with provisions of the SAA constitution. Members of the Board of Trustees — Prof. Robert Soudre of Burkina Faso, Prof. Sheila Tlou of Botswana and Dr. Meskerem Grunitzky of Ethiopia — presided over the executive board election.
The newly constituted governing board includes Prof. Mohamed Chakroun, Dr. Aliou Sylla, Prof. Morenike Ukpong, Dr. Benjamin Djoudalbaye, Dr. Avelin Aghokeng Forang, Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi, Prof. Jeanine Condo and Florence Ria Anam.
During the transition meeting, the governing board elected Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi of Namibia as president. Other members of the executive board include Dr. Aliou Sylla of Mali as treasurer, Prof. Jeanine Condo of Rwanda as secretary-general, Prof. Mohamed Chakroun of Tunisia as vice president, Florence Ria Anam of Kenya as deputy treasurer and Dr. Avelin Aghokeng Forang of Cameroon as deputy secretary-general.
The Board of Trustees also nominated outgoing SAA President David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees.
In his inaugural address, Kamwi thanked members for entrusting the new leadership with guiding the organization and pledged to strengthen collaboration, scientific leadership and advocacy across the continent.
He also paid tribute to Parirenyatwa for what he described as visionary leadership in strengthening SAA’s role as a platform for scientific exchange, policy dialogue and health advocacy in Africa.
Kamwi said implementation of the SAA 2023–2027 Strategic Plan would remain central to the organization’s work. He emphasized the need for stronger health systems, increased domestic financing, African-led research and development, vaccine manufacturing capacity, and improved pandemic prevention, preparedness and response systems.
“Africa must move from being consumers of global health innovation to becoming producers, innovators and leaders in public health preparedness and scientific advancement,” he said.
The new leadership also pledged to strengthen engagement with governments, development partners, regional institutions, civil society organizations, researchers, women and youth groups to promote sustainable responses to HIV and broader public health challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the SAA Secretariat, ICASA Director and SAA Coordinator Luc Armand Bodea congratulated the newly inaugurated board and thanked the outgoing leadership for its service to the organization and the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa.
Founded in 1989 by African scientists, activists and advocates during an international AIDS conference in Marseille, France, the Society for AIDS in Africa was established in response to the growing HIV epidemic and calls for stronger African leadership in organizing HIV conferences and responses on the continent. The organization later established its permanent secretariat in Accra, Ghana, in 2009.
