U.S. AMBASSADOR LAUNCHES GGML KILI CHALLENGE 2024 CAMPAIGN

AngloGold Ashanti's Vice President for Sustainability and Corporate Affairs (Africa), Mr. Simon Shayo (left), leading the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., and the Managing Director of Geita Gold Mining (GGML), Mr. Duan Archery, shortly after the launch event of the GGML Kili Challenge campaign 2024, to raise funds and promote efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in the country. The event took place in Dar es Salaam recently. The campaign is being conducted in collaboration between GGML and the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS).

The U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, H.E. Michael A. Battle Sr., launched the GGML Kili Challenge 2024 campaign at a fundraising dinner aiming to raise $1 million to support the Tanzanian government's efforts in combating HIV/AIDS. The pledged contributions are expected to be fulfilled by mid-July 2024.

The Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) Kilimanjaro Challenge against HIV/AIDS, established in 2002, is a charitable partnership that brings together the government, through the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS), and GGML to raise funds and promote efforts to fight the disease in the country. One of the most well-known fundraising activities for this cause is the Kili Challenge, which involves climbing and cycling around Mount Kilimanjaro annually. In its 22nd year, the campaign will commence on July 19 and conclude on July 25 this year.

Participants purchase Challenge tickets as part of their fundraising campaign. While some of the fees cover the mountain climbing and cycling expenses, the majority of the funds go into the Kili Trust Fund, which supports the national fight against HIV/AIDS. The Kili Fund is a major contributor to the National AIDS Trust Fund.

Speaking at the launch event in Dar es Salaam recently, the U.S. Ambassador praised GGML and TACAIDS for collaborating on a campaign that assists the government in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

"As many of you know, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, has been a cornerstone in the global fight against HIV/AIDS for over 20 years. Since its inception in 2003, PEPFAR has heavily invested in Tanzania, supporting various projects to control this epidemic and contributing over $7 billion. During this time, we have made significant progress, with over 1.5 million people now receiving life-saving treatment through PEPFAR support. Additionally, we have significantly reduced AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections.

"However, we are now at a stage where sustainability is key to the long-term success of maintaining the gains made under PEPFAR. Sustainability is crucial for several reasons. First, PEPFAR was never intended to be a permanent solution; it was designed to meet an emergency need. Tanzania has made great strides in controlling the HIV epidemic, with new infection rates and AIDS-related deaths significantly declining.

"Tanzania is on a promising path to becoming a middle-income country. With this progress, Tanzania will be able to meet its healthcare needs to a great extent. One of my priorities as the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania has been to foster greater commercial ties to achieve our shared goals. I am pleased to see the expanded cooperation between the health sectors of the U.S. and Tanzania. The private sector will be crucial in the next phase of our efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS," added the U.S. Ambassador.

Mr. Duan Archery, CEO of Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML), expressed his delight that many companies attended the fundraising event in Dar es Salaam.

"Your contributions are of immense value and will help us achieve our 'reach zero' goal," he emphasized, adding that the three zero goals are zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

According to Mr. Archery, this year GGML is supporting 60 participants, including 42 mountain climbers and 18 cyclists. Among these participants are two young children, a boy and a girl from the Moyo wa Huruma Orphanage Center in Geita, which was established in 2006 with support from the Kilimanjaro Challenge.

Mr. Simon Shayo, Vice President of AngloGold Ashanti for Sustainability and Partnership Affairs (Africa), stated that various groups have benefited from the campaign, including children from the Moyo wa Huruma Orphanage Center, which also cares for other vulnerable children.

"The first group of children raised at the center are now attending universities, including two studying for medical degrees," noted Shayo.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Jumanne Isango, representing Dr. Jerome Kamwela, Acting Executive Director of TACAIDS, said that all funds raised are distributed to HIV/AIDS-related organizations, highlighting that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires more domestic support, especially as foreign contributions dwindle.

"Your presence here today signifies your support for the Tanzanian government's efforts in combating HIV and AIDS in the country. We are very grateful for the significant support from PEPFAR and all other U.S. government agencies over the decades since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in our country. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tanzanian government for continuously supporting the Kili Challenge program. We are witnessing strong political will and an enabling environment that fosters this program as we aim to end HIV by 2030," he said.

Regarding the state of HIV in the country, Mr. Isango stated that the 2022/2023 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) indicates that Tanzania has 1,548,000 people living with HIV among adults aged 15+. New HIV infections per year have decreased by 16.7%, from 72,000 (THIS 2016/17) to 60,000 (THIS 2022/23). HIV prevalence has doubled among girls aged 15-24, while it has decreased among women aged 15+ and men of all ages. The HIV prevalence among adults (15+) is 4.5%, higher among women (5.6%) than men (3.0%).

He also noted that in achieving the 95-95-95 targets in Tanzania, early diagnosis shows that 82.7% of adults (15+) living with HIV are aware of their status, with 84.8% of women and 78.4% of men. Treatment; among adults living with HIV who were aware of their status, 97.9% were on ART, with 98.4% of women and 96.7% of men. Viral suppression; among adults on ART, 94.3% had viral suppression, with 94.9% of women and 92.9% of men.