By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Ayensuano (E/R), Oct. 2, GNA – The GAP Health Aid Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation focused on HIV prevention, has held a five-day HIV and social awareness outreach in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region.
The programme, held from September 16 to 24, covered Teacher Mante Presbyterian Basic School and JHS, Anum-Apapam SHS, Coaltar Presbyterian SHS, and community markets at Dokrokyiwa, Anum-Apapam and Amanase.
It was organised in partnership with Mattanah International Ministries, NGA Divinity and Homecare Services, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), the Ayensuano District Health Directorate and the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development.
The outreach sought to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse, promote responsible behaviour and equip young people with knowledge to make informed decisions.
Parents urged to guide children
Speaking at the programme, Mrs Georgina Akua Padi, Founder and Team Lead of GAP Health Aid Foundation, appealed to parents, particularly mothers, to take a more active role in raising and protecting their children.
She said parents must instill discipline, values and good conduct to prepare children for responsible adulthood.
Citing concerns over teenage pregnancy, she called for coordinated action among health institutions, traditional authorities, civil society and community stakeholders.
“Through continued education, community engagement and collaboration, we can deal with the challenges affecting our youth,” she said.
Nana Adu Gyasi, Odikro of Anum-Apapam, expressed concern about youth social challenges and urged parents to monitor children aged 10 to 17, and ensure they are not at game centres or on streets late at night.
“Our children should be safely home by 9:00 p.m.,” he said.
He said chiefs, opinion leaders and the police would collaborate to enforce the directive, including engaging parents and referring cases to relevant authorities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Barima Agyei Kpomo III, Chief of Anum-Apapam, community heads and stakeholders to work with the Department of Social Welfare to promote child protection and community welfare.
He commended GAP Health Aid Foundation and partners and called for a future durbar of chiefs and community members to discuss social challenges.
Support for education
As part of the outreach, the Foundation and partners donated 110 school bags and 350 exercise books to Presbyterian Basic School and JHS and the Seek Life Charity Education Foundation.
The event was attended by Mr Francis Adjartey, Ayensuano District Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Mr Dramani Yakubu, Eastern Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, and Rev. Anthony Mensah and Mrs Gillian Mensah of Mattanah International Ministries.
Ghana HIV situation
The outreach comes as Ghana records progress in its HIV response but faces persistent vulnerability among young people.
According to the GAC 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections-
1. New HIV infections declined from 16,189 in 2024 to 13,951 in 2025 – about 14 per cent drop.
2. AIDS-related deaths fell from 13,429 to 12,051 in the same period.
3. An estimated 337,435 people are living with HIV in Ghana – 315,513 adults (15+) and 21,922 children under 15- Among youth, 19,528 adolescents aged 10-19 and 33,317 young people aged 15-24 are living with HIV.
4. Greater Accra recorded the highest new infections (3,141) while North East recorded the lowest (108), and persons 15+ account for over 91 per cent of new infections. 07fb
The GAC attributes the decline to expanded testing, treatment and care, but says preventing new infections remains critical because each new case adds to lifelong treatment needs.
GNA
Nii Martey M. Botchway
[email protected] Osei-Frempong