Accra, Aug. 26, GNA – Eleven-year-old Andrew Andansi Bonnah, who has launched a campaign to raise GH¢20 million (about 23 million dollars for famine-hit Somalia, has donated 4,000 dollars at the African Union Pledging Conference in Addis Ababa for the Horn Africa drought victims.
Some 350 million dollars was pledged at the Pledging Conference but Andrew’s 4,000 dollars contribution clearly stood out, according to Mr Mawuli Koblah Asamani, Technical Adviser to the young boy.
"I am feeling happy because I touched the hearts of the young and old, rich and poor," Andrew said in his address in Addis Ababa on Thursday, thanking companies and friends in Ghana who donated to his cause.
“For me, it is the beginning of a new era of hope and future for African children, to be part of building the Africa we dream of; under the good foundation of our forefathers and you. I am proud to say that, my team is fully dedicated to this dream through the ‘Save Somali Children from Hunger Project’, and others in order to save the African child and women,” he said.
The schoolboy's contribution, double what the African nation of Lesotho pledged, added to over 350 million dollars raised during an African donor conference in Addis Ababa to help more than 12 million people reeling from severe drought.
"I saw a BBC documentary about Somalia and I looked to my father and asked why they are so lean and hungry," he told the media. "I thought, I should help them," said Andrew, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Save Somali children from hunger".
Initially, he wanted to send bags of maize, but aid workers in Ghana persuaded him that sending money would be easier.
"My target is 13 million dollars, but I have now raised 4,000 dollars," said Andrew who travelled to the Ethiopian capital with his team to take part in the AU Pledging Conference of African Union.
He said he hoped the money would go toward buying maize, rice, sugar beans and to support education and health in Somalia.
Andrew is raising the money to cater for food, health, clothes and education.
“Already, I have visited banks, Insurance, vehicle, mining, medicine and mobile phone companies, churches and Muslim groups who have pledged their support.
“I am yet to launch a GH¢1.00 campaign for Somalia when I return to Ghana for all school children and everyone through safe boxes situated everywhere in the country.”
Andrew said he was challenged to visit every country on the continent to encourage the children to do same, raise funds for future and unexpected situations, promote peace and pan African spirit.
He said this would encourage the goals of the African Union.
“On this day, at this Assembly, I, on behalf of African Children plead with the African leadership to unite now, pledge their good support for Somalia and the Horn of Africa, make good policies that will give hope to the future of the African Union. This will enable the AU to manage Africa well. We should also not forget that children and women are suffering in Libya,” he told the Conference.
The Horn of Africa is suffering its worst drought in decades which, combined with conflict and resource mismanagement in Somalia, has led to what the UN describes as the world's worst unfolding humanitarian disaster.
Meanwhile, Ghana pledged 500,000 dollars for their support for Somalia.
For the first time this century, the United Nations has declared a state of famine in five Somali regions and said it could spread to engulf the country's entire south.
The drought has also left millions in parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda facing starvation.
GNA
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