MALAWIAN ALBINO WINS BARI-BARI PRIZE AWARD

The Pan African Albinism Conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has recognized a Malawian man living with albinism Mr Bonface Ophiyah Massah as the first recipient of the BARI-BARI Prize award.

The award is presented to the individual or organization which has, in a given year, produced the most tangible and impactful results in albinism advocacy.

In a statement, APAM hailed Bonface and all persons with albinism in Malawi for their support and love to such a noble prize.

APAM also hailed Under The Same Sun Chief Executive Officer Mr Peter Ash and his team for the introduction of such awards and great.

The Bari-Bari prize (2015 – 2025) is an annual award installed posthumously in memory of His Excellency, Ambassador Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari-Bari of the Permanent Mission of Somalia to the United Nations Office in Geneva (1960-2015).

Ambassador Yusuf, or “Bari-Bari” as he was known fondly, was a fighter for the human rights of persons with albinism worldwide. His efforts bore many indelible fruits for persons with albinism worldwide including the placement of the issue on the agenda of the UN, the installation of International Albinism Awareness Day every year on June 13 and the installation of an Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters with albinism worldwide, whose human rights was a cause he pledged his support, “forever.” The Prize is also installed in the spirit of Ambassador Bari-Bari’s strong belief in the principle of “positive competition” as a way of advancing human rights at all levels.