By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, June 04, GNA – Stakeholders in the Northern Region have raised serious concerns over the dwindling funding support for HIV and AIDS campaigns.
They indicated that such actions threatened ongoing efforts to respond to the spread of the disease, especially amongst vulnerable populations.
The concerns were raised during a stakeholder briefing and idea-sharing session organised by the Ghana AIDS Commission in Tamale.
It was attended by representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), civil society organizations, the private sector, United Nations agencies, and traditional and religious leaders.
The concerns came up when Dr Prosper Kharmacelle Akanbong, Director-General of Ghana AIDS Commission, paid working visit to the Northern Regional Minister.
The visit was to strengthen collaborative efforts to raise public awareness and reduce the spread of HIV in the region.
Dr Akanbong, during the meeting, reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing the national HIV response, announcing plans to establish regional offices in the North East and Savannah Regions.
He said the initiative would enhance advocacy, coordination, and technical support for HIV interventions, especially in underserved communities.
The Director General called for the integration of HIV-related activities into all MMDAs programmes and urged stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to prevent and manage the disease.
Participants at the meeting highlighted numerous challenges hampering HIV response efforts in the region including reduced media advocacy, inadequate funding, and the rising abuse of drugs amongst the youth.
They called for renewed investment and strengthened partnerships to address the growing concerns.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister lauded the Ghana AIDS Commission for the engagement and pledged his office’s support for its activities.
He said “Collaboration with various stakeholders in the region should be our core strategy. This will enable us to reach more people, encourage testing, and help reduce the spread of the disease.”
Madam Esenam Kavi De Souza, Country Director of Children Believe, emphasised the importance of leveraging social media platforms to reach young people, who were often highly active online.
She advocated increased youth participation in HIV advocacy campaigns.
The meeting renewed commitment by stakeholders to intensify community engagement, raise awareness, and push for increased funding to sustain the momentum in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the region.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Kenneth Odeng Adade