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African AIDS Action slams Bono’s naivety and insults - City’ fat cats’ accused of Scrooge-like char
Added: (Wed Dec 26 2007)
Press Release
Essex-based African AIDS Action [a3], which has been critical of celebrity fund-raisers and western charities, whom it accuses of creating a dependency culture and extending corruption in Africa, has reacted strongly to Irish pop-singer Bono’s claim that, “Whenever you see Africans saying they don't want aid it's pretty clear it's not their sisters, brothers, cousins who are dying". *
Selasie retorted, “I have lost my niece, sister-in-law and 47 other relatives to AIDS - my
brother and sister and 54 other family members are HIV positive, so I find Bono’s comments naive and insulting.”
“But as an Ethiopian I have witnessed with my own eyes how aid and western charities have created a dependency culture in Africa, fuelled wars and benefited corrupt dictators,” said Selasie.
Instead of handouts from Western charities a3, is calling for well-healed City financiers to back a3 in pioneering a radical new initiative with a unique scheme where donors become ‘investors in change’. By selling 1.3 million shares for £100 each, a3 is to fund a professionally run, non-profit pharmaceutical manufacturing and distributing facility in Africa, based in similar models operating in Thailand and Brazil. The plant will produce AIDS and other life saving drugs under licence in volume to make them affordable, available and universally accessible to all dying Africans. Only 25% of the 5.8 million people with full-blown AIDS in Africa have access to the life –saving anti retro viral drugs.
In the past decade the wealth of the richest 1,000 people in the UK has risen threefold+. Yet charity donations remain almost static. Despite the current ‘credit crunch’, City bonuses are expected to approach £7.5b** in 2008. It is not just wealthy individuals who displaying the characteristics of an unreconstructed Scrooge this Christmas. With the noteworthy exceptions of RAB Capital, Icap and Marshall Wace, no major institution donates a mere 1% of its profits to good causes.
With the chasm between the richest and those on average earnings growing ever wider, Selasie believes it is time these global institutions examined their place in society.
However, the whole philosophy of African AIDS Action is one of self-help and the promotion of industriousness rather than reliance on handouts.
"The City is full of people who work long and hard, who deserve their rewards and should be free to enjoys the fruits of the labour, however we all need to recognise that we are a part of a global village with obligations and responsibilities to it," reminds Selasie.
Attracting result and accountability conscious investors, including Cabinet members, other MPs, Lords and celebrities, shareholders do not receive cash dividend. They are entitled to vote at the AGM and have a say how the pharmaceutical company shall run and distribute its product. Shares may be bought online at http://www.africanaidsaction.org/buy-share.html.
* The Independent 1.12.07
+ Sunday Times Rich List
** Centre for Economics and Business Research
About a3
African AIDS Action [a3] is a grass-roots organisation with a clear, transparent, practical and focused vision dedicated to making life-saving medicines affordable, accessible and available to save millions of Africans from dying of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. It is about empowering Africans by transferring technology and creating employment. The model is based on projects in Brazil and Thailand, two developing countries who have been successful in tackling AIDS. Using volunteer scientists and engineers headquartered in an area of Africa with the world's lowest crime rate and no corruption, medicines will be manufactured and transported to various warehouses built in other African countries. 99% of receipts are invested in life-saving projects. a3 is about empowering Africans by transferring technology and creating employment. Only 1% of receipts are spent on management costs. We will have external independent auditors and accountants and provide investors with monthly updates on our progress.
About the Founder
The survivor of the Ethiopian famine of 1984/85 but now a British citizen, Jobs Selasi, the founder of a3 , has first hand experience of the tragedy, having lost his niece, sister-in-law and 47 other relatives to AIDS. His brother and sister 54 other family members are HIV positive. A tireless campaigner for the millions of African AIDS sufferers who face a death sentence because they are being denied life saving drugs, Jobs, a teetotal vegan, is a devoted athlete is with an individuality that makes him a popular personality with the media. His charisma and passion for Africa is dynamic and he welcomes the opportunity to reveal the truth about the global AIDS epidemic. His story of how he has coped seeing suffering and loss of many family members is a compelling one. His views on celebrity campaigners, multi-national charity aid and the often-negative impact these are having on his beloved continent are inspirational and educational.
Contacts:
For further information, photos or to arrange an interview please contact
George Shaw at Avocado Media on 01892 750851 or 07860 695555
Jobs Selasie on 01708 521047 or 07946 389593 E esellassie2000@yahoo.co.uk
W: www.africanaidsaction.org
African AIDS Action
PO Box 303
Rainham
Essex RM13 8UW
African AIDS Action is a registered charity in England & Wales, Reg Charity No. 1087378