Accra, Nov. 28, GNA - The Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) International has elected Mrs Bernice Heloo, Executive Director of Pro-Link, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), as its president. A statement signed in Accra by Mrs Gifty Baka, Executive Director, SWAA International, on Monday said Mrs Heloo who heads an 11-member international executive Board for a four-year period, succeeds Dr Margaret Muganwa of Uganda.

The statement mentioned other members elected as Dr Aissatou Gaye Diallo of Senegal as Vice president and Dr Oumou Sangare Fofana of Mali as treasurer.

Mrs Heloo was the Vice president of SWAA and West African Co-ordinator of the board.

The statement said the election constituted highlights of a four-day regional co-ordination and capacity workshop held in Accra for 68 participants drawn from 24 national SWAA branches in Africa. During the workshop, participants shared experiences and best practices on how to effectively address challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the statement said.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Heloo expressed her intention to position SWAA as the preferred choice for government and donors on HIV/AIDS issues on the continent.

She said SWAA would intensify its advocacy and community mobilisation and empower women and children to fight the scourge. She expressed her determination to extend the establishment of SWAA to Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Morocco and Somalia in order to ensure that women all over Africa were brought on board to fight HIV/AIDS