BY DIRAMAKINI
GEITA Gold Mining Limited (GGM) in partnership with the Tanzania National AIDS Commission (TACAIDS) expects to raise US $ 1 million (Sh2.3 billion) through the GGM Kili Challenge 2022 Campaign which is expected to kick off on July 15 to 21 this year.
GGML has also pledged to continue working with the Government through TACAIDS and other stakeholders to advance the fight against HIV and AIDS to achieve the three zeros.
Three zeros targets mean a complete reduction to zero per cent of new infections, zero stigmas as well as zero in AIDS-related deaths.
The statement was made on June 29, 2022, in Dodoma by GGML Senior Co-operative Manager, Manace Ndoroma, addressing the media about launching the GGM Kili Challenge campaign for 2022.
The campaign, launched by GGML in 2002, aims to fund the fight against HIV and AIDS by raising funds to assist the Tanzanian government in its efforts to achieve the three zeros.
The GGML and TACAIDS campaign also aim to advance the fight against HIV and AIDS in the country and to involve stakeholders in contributing to the national response to HIV and AIDS.
He said the campaign, which also involves foreign stakeholders, "Participants will climb Mount Kilimanjaro from Machame gate on foot and others by bicycle and then down to Mweka gate in Kilimanjaro region. We sincerely invite our stakeholders and various companies to contribute and participate in this campaign. ”
In addition, he thanked the Government of Tanzania for its support and cooperation with TACAIDS in the Kili Challenge campaign since its inception in 2002.
"National statistics on people living with HIV include even those living in Geita Region, which is why we are making a concerted effort to eradicate new infections across the country," added Ndoroma. 
The GGM Kili Challenge has made great strides since its inception in 2002 to become an international fund, comprising more than 700 mountaineers and cyclists from 6 continents and more than 20 countries.
He said the GGM Kili challenge campaign is one of the responsibilities of the company in contributing to various social projects where each year it spends Shs 9 to 11 billion.
In addition, TACAIDS Director-General, Dr Leonard Maboko in urging the people to pay taxes and fund the fight against HIV, said the Government has amended the tax law where now debtors or companies taxed by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), can get tax exemptions by contributing to the fund.
"For example, if a company owes Sh100 million in taxes, giving Sh 50 million to contribute to the Aids fund, it will count he has paid taxes so in TRA his debt will remain only 50 million," he said.
He added that the Government has taken this step as despite the successes achieved in the fight against AIDS it is still a problem in the country so funds are needed to eradicate the scourge.
He said statistics show an increase in new HIV infections, especially for specific groups at high risk. By 2020 the number of Tanzanians living with HIV in the country has reached 1,700,000 people and new infections per year are 68,000 people.
GGML Senior Co-operative Manager, Manace Ndoroma (right) talking to reporters in Dodoma (not pictured) about the launch of the GGM Kili Challenge 2022 Campaign aimed at raising funds for the fight against HIV / AIDS. At the left is TACAIDS Director, Dr Leonard Maboko.He said through the GGM Kilimanjaro challenge campaign, various institutions have benefited from funding to implement HIV and AIDS response activities in the country. For example, in 2020 the Kilimanjaro Challenge Fund provided 800 million Tanzanian shillings to 20 non-governmental organizations.
These organizations have implemented various projects aimed at young people, people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children, and society at large. More than 1,000 people have benefited from the funding.