Sometime in May, I received an email that I had been invited to the #GoalKeepers2023 event by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation! I was excited (Of course!). This was not just an invitation but a fully funded opportunity! What made this more anticipating for me was that I was meant to attend in 2022 but I couldn’t due to some miscommunication and unforeseen circumstances.
Tick tock, tick tock…18th September finally arrived and it was time to go to New York! I did the needful, parked on time, got to the airport on time only to be disappointed by AER LINGUS – a horrible experience all round I would not want to narrate. But, I have cancelled them in my books!
The next morning, I joined other participants on a boat cruise/breakfast/networking session around New York. It was an opportunity to see some sights around New York; notable among them is The Statue of Liberty. On this cruise, I saw a number of celebrities (Nigerian) and it was an opportunity to interact with them. Some of them include; Rahama Sadau, M.I. Abaga, Aproko Doctor, Chude Jideonwo among others.
The GoalKeepers Awards later in the evening, saw individuals who were working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) win awards including the Progress Award won by fellow ONE Activist, Eden Tadesse and the inaugural Voice Award won by the founder of ONE, Bono. It was an evening of celebration and also reminiscing on how far we have come towards achieving the SDGs and the work that needs to be done to ensure that we are on track towards achieving them. The evening ended with a performance by the Queen of Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage. What a delight!
The next day was the the GoalKeepers 2023 main event which started at about 7:30am. This was where we got to hear from Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, President of Kenya, William Ruto among other healthcare officers, midwives and health specialists working towards reducing maternal mortality rates in developing countries. The statistics are shocking and it is something that should be given much attention to than it is currently especially in Africa and even globally. Of course, there was time for networking and for me, that is mostly the highlight of attending these events. I met a fellow Ghanaian who works with the Gates Foundation in South Africa and we connected! I also connected with a lady who works with the UN (ECOSOC to be precise) – lovely lady, among other connections and conversations. I also met and took a picture with Ebuka, the host of Big Brother Naija – I don’t watch the show but I had to get a selfie with him :).
I also got another opportunity to meet with the President of ONE, Tom Hart, alongside my fellow ONE activists where we had a lovely discussion on what motivated us to join ONE and the campaigns ONE will be running in the nearest future among others.
I took lots of pictures! Especially on the 2nd day :). After the event, I went to my hotel room to rest and then went round Times Square (second time there) and also found something to eat. I was so tired! What a long day!
The next day, which was my last day (21st), I decided to use my free time to go to the 9/11 Memorial and also the Empire State Building! It was worth going to both places despite the crowd especially at the Empire State Building…I mean, it makes sense.
Well! That was the end of my stay in NY! My inbound journey was smoother than my outbound journey as there were no delays whatsoever. If only! I arrived in the UK tired and only wanting to sleep because I deserved one and oh overall, #GoalKeepers2023 was an amazing experience and I am certain I will experience again :). Below are some pictures from the event :). Enjoy!
See you soon with another blogpost (Becoming 30! 😍)
Gertrude says...... 