Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has expressed worry about the growing prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the country despite significant effort made to stop spread of the disease and possibly eradicate it in the country.
He said HIV/AIDS has troubled many people and ought to be tackled seriously. “It is a matter of great concern” he said.
According to the Minister, Ghana made significant strides following an unending campaign waged over the years to defeat the deadly disease. “This country suffered for many years with the campaign to deal with HIV/AIDS,” he remarked.
Addressing a team led by Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Acting Director General of Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), the Minister advised the Commission to intensify the campaign against the pandemic knowing the dangers associated with the deadly virus.
Although Ghana made improved strides, it will appear that stakeholders have become comfortable and complacency is beginning to set the nation’s AIDS campaign backward.
An important lesson, the Minister said, that must guide those championing the campaign to stay focused. “We need to keep our focus” he admonished.
Mr Nelson said the alarming statistics from the Western Region regarding prevalence of the HIV/AIDS is “scary.”
“All the stakeholders must be brought on board to retrace the right steps for us to make meaningful progress,” he urged.
The Minister applauded the Director General for leveraging on his network to hit the ground running following his appointment. “Your presence here will do a lot,” he remarked.
He called on health workers, and all key stakeholders fighting the pandemic to do a lot in that area. “Bring in some positive change,” he said.
Mr Nelson also called for concerted effort to improve the operational tactics of those waging the campaign- “How we are able to partner to work is also very important. I am going to be available to support you.”
He said the impact of collaboration will show by next year, and that should change the narrative going into the future- “I am going to do everything that I can to get them (MMDCEs) to understand where we are and what we must do.”
“That commitment to improve performance should come from the MMDCEs,” he emphasised.
For him, he said he will constantly stand by the Commission to get results. “You have my full support, and you will have the support of all MMDCEs
so, we can see meaningful progress,” Mr Nelson assured.
Dr. Prosper Akanbong, who led the delegation to the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), expressed satisfaction with the warm reception.
Updating the Minister on current prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS, the Director General of GAC said the response to the disease in the country is very dear to stakeholders.
The mandate of the AIDS Commission, he underscored, is to coordinate response, source for funds, and provide accurate data on prevalence.
He said the Commission has made significant strides over the years through the campaign being waged but admitted that any attempt to take eyes off the ball, things will go haywire.
Dr Akanbong appealed to the Minister to intervene and secure support for the focal persons to win the war against spread of AIDS within the focal points in the region that requires proper responses.
The Ghana AIDS Commission, he revealed, works with focal persons as part of activities being carried out to decentralise the campaign against the disease in the country
He mentioned lack of funds for focal persons to work as one of the visible challenges facing the war against HIV/AIDS. He asked for the Minister’s support to get local assemblies to support focal persons in their respective areas.
The national prevalence rate, he underscored, currently stands at 1.53 as against I.82 in Western Region. The substantial gains made, he said, obviously requires attention and sustenance
The Director General cited growing illegal mining (Galamsey) activities in the region as the main contributory factor in the spread of the pandemic.
A stronger collaboration he said has become necessary in the fight against the causes of the spread of AIDS.
