The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) successfully convened its official Handover Ceremony and Executive Board Transition Meeting from 14th to 15th May 2026 in Accra, marking a significant leadership transition in the organization’s continued commitment to strengthening Africa’s response to HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, emerging infectious diseases, and broader public health priorities.
Held at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, the ceremony formally ushered in the new Governing Board and Executive Board in accordance with provisions 10.1 to 10.2 and Article 12 of the SAA Constitution.
The Board of Trustees, Prof. Robert Soudre, Burkina Faso, Prof. Sheila Tlou, Botswana and Dr. Meskerem Grunitzky, Ethiopia, presided over the executive board election.
The event brought together distinguished public health leaders, researchers, policymakers, advocates, civil society representatives, and partners from across the African continent.
The newly constituted Governing Board comprises:
- Prof. Mohamed Chakroun
- Dr. Aliou Sylla
- Prof. Morenike Ukpong
- Dr. Benjamin Djoudalbaye
- Dr. Avelin Aghokeng Forang
- Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi
- Prof. Jeanine Condo
- Florence Ria Anam
During the transition meeting, the Governing Board, validated by the Board of Trustees, elected the new Executive Board comprising the following persons:
- President – Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi, (Namibia)
- Treasurer – Dr. Aliou Sylla (Mali)
- Secretary General – Prof. Jeanine Condo (Rwanda)
- Vice President – Prof. Mohamed Chakroun (Tunisia)
- Deputy Treasurer – Florence Ria Anam (Kenya)
- Deputy Secretary General – Dr. Avelin Aghokeng Forang (Cameroon)
The Board of Trustees also nominated the outgoing SAA President, David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, as a member of the Board of Trustees.
In his inaugural address, the newly elected President, Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi, expressed profound gratitude for the confidence reposed in the new leadership and reaffirmed SAA’s commitment to advancing Africa’s health agenda through stronger continental collaboration, scientific leadership, institutional sustainability, and strategic advocacy.
He paid glowing tribute to the outgoing President, Hon. Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to strengthening SAA’s role as Africa’s foremost platform for scientific exchange, policy dialogue, and health advocacy.
The incoming President emphasized that the implementation of the SAA 2023–2027 Strategic Plan remains central to the organization’s priorities.
He further highlighted the urgent need for strengthened health systems, domestic resource mobilization, African-led research and development, vaccine manufacturing capacity, Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), and equitable access to life-saving technologies across the continent.
He reiterated that Africa must move from being consumers of global health innovation to becoming producers, innovators, and leaders in public health preparedness and scientific advancement.
The new leadership also pledged to intensify engagement with governments, development partners, regional institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, researchers, women, youth, and communities to ensure sustainable and inclusive responses to HIV and broader public health challenges.
In line with its constitutional mandate, the SAA Governing Board will continue to provide strategic oversight and leadership in promoting research, strengthening advocacy, facilitating policy dialogue, and supporting national and continental health responses to HIV and related co-morbidities, while addressing emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases across Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the SAA Secretariat, the ICASA Director/SAA Coordinator, Luc Armand Bodea, congratulated the newly inaugurated Board and welcomed them to office.
He further expressed appreciation to the outgoing Board for their invaluable service, dedication, and contributions toward advancing the mission and vision of SAA and the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa.
The Society for AIDS in Africa remains committed to fostering African-led solutions, strengthening continental solidarity, and advancing resilient health systems toward achieving an AIDS-free and healthier Africa.
Luc Armand H. Bodea
ICASA Director/SAA Coordinator
Email:Â lucbodea@saafrica.org
Permanent Secretariat)
(Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA)
Website: www.saafrica.org Â
Office Direct: (+233)(0) 303 936 814
Mobile (+233) (0) 543 748 781
Email:Â info@saafrica.org
Accra- Ghana
The Society for AIDS in Africa was founded in 1989 at the fourth International Symposium on AIDS and Associated Cancers in Africa (now ICASA) held in Marseille France by a group of African scientists, activists, and advocates in response to the HIV epidemic.
The establishment of the Society was the effect of the agitations of some African scientists for the conference to be organized on African soil.
These agitations began in the preceding year at the third meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania in 1988. The cause of these scientists was supported by the then Director of WHO, Dr. Peter Piot.
At the 1990 conference held in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an Executive Committee was inaugurated to oversee the establishment of the Society and to coordinate subsequent International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) conferences.
The society was officially registered in Nairobi, Kenya with a functional Secretariat in Nigeria. The permanent secretariat of the Society for AIDS in Africa was established in 2009 in Accra – Ghana.
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