The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) has marked its 35th Anniversary with a special celebration on the margins of the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025).
The week‑long conference, running from 3 to 8 December at the Accra International Conference Centre, has brought together more than three thousand delegates from 85 countries to discuss integrated, sustainable responses to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
The SAA’s anniversary event was woven into the conference programme, highlighting three and a half decades of advocacy, research, and community action across the continent.
Founded in 1989, the SAA has grown into a continental force that brings together scientists, activists, policymakers, and communities to strengthen Africa’s response to HIV and related diseases.
Over the past 35 years, it has helped shape the continent’s health agenda, supported research, and promoted multi‑sectoral collaboration.
Speakers during the celebration reiterated that without reliable, country‑owned funding, the gains made against HIV, TB, and malaria could be reversed.
The Director of ICASA and Coordinator of SAA, luc Armand Bodea said country leaders must take a critical look at domestic funding. He noted that SAA has come far, and better interventions will follow after the ICASA conference, urging better coordination among the leaders of all interventions.
“Now more than ever, domestic financing has become a do‑or‑die affair for Africa. We have come far and doing well so far, but we can do better. We need to look internally and look for funding that will support interventions holistically.” He said.
By Sarah Apenkroh
