Renowned international soccer star, Michael Essien, currently on a visit to Liberia, has called on the government and political leaders to collaborate in the fight against polio.
Essien’s appeal comes during his advocacy mission, which is part of an initiative organized by the Gates Foundation and UNICEF, in partnership with the Liberian government.
Essien, accompanied by his wife, Akosua Puni Essien, is visiting Liberia to bolster efforts to eradicate polio and enhance child immunization rates.
The visit coincides with a synchronized polio vaccination campaign across Liberia and six other West African countries.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Essien emphasized the critical role of political engagement in the battle against polio.
“The national government and all politicians need to participate in this fight. UNICEF is just an institution, and I am an individual supporting this fight, but without the political will from relevant authorities, we will be fighting a zero battle,” he stated.
Essien’s presence in Liberia is not just symbolic; it brings significant attention to the cause.
As a former international footballer who has played at the highest levels, his involvement underscores the importance of this health campaign.
Essien urged policymakers, parents, and political actors to actively engage in the immunization process to protect children from the disease.
“The next time I visit Liberia, I would love to see zero polio cases. We want to ensure we kick out this deadly disease,” he added.
During their visit, the Essiens have engaged in various activities, including a friendly football match with young Liberian athletes at the SKD playing pitch. This event highlighted the power of sports to unite communities and bring attention to critical health issues.
Essien’s participation demonstrated his commitment to leveraging his sporting influence for positive change.
Akosua Puni Essien also voiced her support for the eradication efforts, stating, “It is inspiring to see the coordinated efforts in Liberia to ensure every child receives vaccination to protect them from the polio virus.”
“I urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that children under five receive their vaccines,” UNICEF Representative in Liberia, Andy Brooks, praised Essien’s involvement, highlighting its impact on boosting public confidence in vaccination.
“The visit of Michael and Akosua Essien underscores the power of partnership in our fight against polio. Their presence boosts confidence in vaccination and highlights our shared commitment to a polio-free future for every child in West and Central Africa. Together, we can make polio history,” Brooks stated.
Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, representing the Liberian government, echoed these sentiments, noting that Essien’s involvement sends a strong message about the importance of the polio eradication campaign.
“He is an icon, and everyone knows that. To see him leading this initiative with UNICEF sends a powerful message,” Bangalu said, committing the government’s support to the campaign.
Adolphus Clark, Manager of the Expanded Program on Immunization in Liberia, expressed optimism about the campaign’s success.
“Our collective efforts have brought us closer than ever to a polio-free Liberia. With the support of Michael and Akosua Essien and our global partners, we are renewing our commitment to protect every child from this preventable disease,” he stated.
Polio eradication update in Liberia reported two variant polio type two detections from environmental sampling in 2023 and six detections so far in 2024.
After nearly two years without any variant polio type two detections, Liberia has prioritized two rounds of nationwide nOPV2 campaigns.
The first round began on May 10, 2024, synchronized with Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire, and the second round is scheduled to start on June 7, 2024.
