FORMER President Jakaya Kikwete will tomorrow flag off 61 participants, who will climb Mount Kilimanjaro through the ‘GGML Kili Challenge -2023’ campaign.
The campaign aimed at raising funds for the National AIDS Control Fund for the continuous fight to eradicate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS.
The campaign was founded in 2002 by the Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) in collaboration with the Tanzania AIDS Control Commission (TACAIDS).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Kilimanjaro Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Tixon Nzunda said that Dr Kikwete will flag them off at the Machame Gate and they will be received by Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu at the Mweka Kibosho Gate seven days later.
On his part, the Vice-President of AngloGold Ashanti- GGML who handles sustainable projects in Ghana and Tanzania, Simon Shayo said this year a total of 35 participants will climb the mountain in the usual way, while some 26 will ascend by cycling.
He said that in the campaign there will be a mobilisation of the public to join voluntary HIV testing services, counseling and blood donation.
He applauded the government for supporting the campaign adding that as stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the company has received support that enables the Kili Challenge to take great steps to become an international fund, involving mountaineers and cyclists from all continents and more than 20 countries outside Africa.
“These funds, which are collected every year, are aimed at supplementing government’s efforts in achieving the three zero goals, notably to reduce new infections to zero per cent, zero stigma and zero deaths from HIV/AIDS,” he said.
