4 new WHO goodwill ambassadors appointed

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cynthia Germanotta, Alisson Becker and Dr Natália Loewe Becker have been appointed goodwill ambassadors of the World Health Organisation to champion global health. As representatives from the fields of sports, politics and community mobilisation, they are tasked to promote healthier lives, stronger health workforces and improved mental health.

L-R: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cynthia Germanotta, Alisson Becker and Dr Natália Loewe Becker

Alisson Becker, goalkeeper of the Brazilian national and Liverpool football teams, and Dr Natália Loewe Becker, medical doctor and health advocate from Brazil, are WHO goodwill ambassadors for health promotion. Cynthia Germanotta, president of Born This Way Foundation, which she co-founded with her daughter Lady Gaga, is WHO goodwill ambassador for mental health. Lastly, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia, has been appointed WHO goodwill ambassador for health workforce.

The announcements were made by WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his speech to open the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva.

“I welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cynthia Germanotta, Alisson Becker and Natália Loewe Becker as WHO’s new goodwill ambassadors and look forward to working with them over the coming years,” said Tedros. “Each of our new ambassadors are champions in their own right, from helping their communities rebuild and develop sustainably, to fighting for better mental health and wellbeing, to being role models for healthier living.”