By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, July 09, GNA – The Joint Network of Communities of Persons Living with HIV in Ghana, has called for more responsible public communication on HIV-related matters, following comments attributed to the Minister for the Interior on the recent recruitment exercise into Ghana’s security services.
The network comprising NAP+ Ghana, Young Health Advocates Ghana (YHAG), and Key Populations Living with HIV in Ghana (KP+ Ghana), in a press statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said while it acknowledged the importance of medical screening in security service recruitment, it was concerned about the manner in which the information was made public.
According to the network, the situation had created fear, fueled stigma, and exposed thousands of applicants, whether confirmed HIV positive or not to public ridicule, discrimination and psychological distress.
It commended the Ghana AIDS Commission for clarifying that the reported 1,300 HIV-positive cases among applicants, were consistent with the country’s national HIV prevalence rate of about 1.49 percent and stressed that, HIV status must never become grounds for public shame or exclusion.
Citing Section 34 of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), the Network noted that, the law explicitly prohibits denying, dismissing, or discriminating against a person in employment on the basis of actual or perceived HIV status.
It also referenced Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and protection from discrimination, adding that, recruitment decisions by employers, including public institutions, must be based on merit and legitimate occupational requirements rather than misconceptions about HIV.
The groups further pointed to scientific evidence showing that people on effective antiretroviral treatment who achieve viral suppression cannot transmit HIV sexually.
The Network expressed concern that the public disclosure of HIV-related figures without adequate context had, unintentionally reinforced harmful stereotypes and could discourage Ghanaians from voluntarily testing for HIV, undermining decades of investment in the country’s HIV response.
It urged public office holders, Ministers of State, and institutional communicators to exercise caution when speaking on HIV matters, insisting that public statements on the subject should be scientifically accurate, human rights-centred, respectful of confidentiality, and free of language that could promote stigma.
“Words matter,” the statement noted, adding that, a single public comment could either encourage people to test for HIV or discourage thousands from doing so.
The Network appealed to government to reassure the public that recruitment processes fully complied with Act 938, the Constitution, and Ghana’s labour and human rights obligations, and to strengthen confidentiality safeguards in medical screening exercises conducted by public institutions.
It also petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to monitor the ongoing recruitment process, investigate any complaints of discrimination, and work with the Ghana AIDS Commission to strengthen enforcement of the anti-discrimination provisions in Act 938.
The groups had a message for applicants affected by the developments, assuring them of dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity regardless of an initial screening outcome, and pledged NAP+ Ghana’s support to anyone whose rights were violated in the process.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
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