Statistics from the Ghana AIDS Commission indicate that twelve thousand, seven hundred and fifty-eight (12,758) AIDS-related deaths were recorded in the country last year. Out of the number, nine thousand, seven hundred and ninety-six (9,796) were adults while two thousand nine hundred and sixty-two (2,962) were children between the ages of zero and fourteen (0-14).
The Acting Eastern Regional Technical Coordinator of the Technical Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah made this known at the inauguration of the Upper Manya Krobo District HIV/AIDS Advocacy Committee at Asesewa. The nine-member committee has the District Chief Executive, Joe Sam as the chairman, and Shirley Tiah, the District HIV Focal Person as the secretary. The committee is aimed at providing advocacy for HIV and AIDS prevention and control and fostering linkages among stakeholders towards the reduction of the menace in the district.
According to Mr. Abrokwah, adults living with HIV in last year alone were three hundred and seventeen thousand, four hundred and ten (317,410) while twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred and ten (28,710) were children. New infections in adults were also fifteen thousand, two hundred and forty-five (15,245) and three thousand, six hundred and eighty-three (3,683) in children. Mr. Abrokwah charged the committee to engage local information centers to help disseminate information on HIV and AIDS regularly to educate the populace on the disease. He said the committee should also ensure that Alert Clubs in schools are revamped and advocacy meetings with the local council of churches and traditional authorities are held.
Mr. Abrokwah tasked the committee to follow up on persons who test positive for HIV and engage in stigma reduction activities. The Chairman of the Committee, Joe Sam who is also the DCE for the area said the formation of the committee is timely. He said last year alone people living with HIV in the district were two thousand and 81 (2081) with new infections being eighty-seven (87).
Mr. Sam was optimistic that the committee will do everything possible to change the trend in the district. Other members of the committee are Emmanuel Nuetey Siakwa, Abraham Martey, Abass Jubilila, and Lansah Asumah. The rest are Theophilus Agbodjadh, Rev. Devine Nartey and Mrs. Grace Adza – Awude.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah/ISD
