By Christopher Tetteh
Nsoatre, (Bono), Jan. 31, GNA – Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Bambilla, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions Technical Coordinator for the Ghana AIDs Commission says Ghana is making a headway in HIV and AIDS control.
He says the progress made was a life-saving care for Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (PLwHAs), He explained that the “PLwHAs are not alone,” assuring that the GAC and the government were commitment to implementing realistic policies to stem the spread of the disease and care for PLwHAs.
Mr Bambilla said this at a symposium organised by the GAC to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day, held at the Nsoatre Sacred Heart Senior High School in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region.
It was on the theme, “Take the right path: Ending AIDS together, stepping up prevention efforts” and attended by about 1500 students and pupils to enlighten with accurate knowledge about HIV prevention, positive living and thereby foster healthy conversation.
It was to help break HIV and AIDS stigmatisation and encourage critical thinking and innovation in addressing emerging challenges confronting the disease.
Mr Bambilla said commitment was required in charting the right path in making the country an HIV and AIDS-free nation, saying that remained possible through intensified efforts on HIV and AIDS to control new infections.
He underlined the need to strengthen collaboration across sectors, including education, health, community organizations and faith-based groups and to amplify awareness creation on HIV and AIDS.
Mr Bambilla regretted that young people between 15 and 24 years were prone to contracting HIV and called for intensified public education on the disease among the youthful population to stem new infections.
He said 95 percent of the PLwHAs were 15 years and above, saying 17,774 new HIV infections were recorded in 2023.
The Reverend Sister Benedicta Uzokwe, the Headmistresses of the Sacred Heart Senior High School called for a decisive action and collective efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDs in the country.
She cautioned young people to abstain from premarital sexual practices to protect themselves from infections.
Mr James Ankomah, the Bono Regional School Health Education Program Coordinator commended the GAC for its restless efforts in stemming the spread of new infections.
GNA