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Hundreds of people from all walks of life have participated in a candlelight procession to launch the month-long activities leading up to World AIDS Day which is commemorated on December 1 every year.
The procession which took place in Accra last Friday, was a means to spread awareness of the urgent need to combat HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, who did the launch, emphasised the need for all Ghanaians to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Speaking on this year's theme: "Let’s Walk the Right Path," Dr Atuahene stressed that many individuals who continued to engage in unprotected sex and other risky behaviours increased their exposure to HIV, thus contributing to a rise in new infections. He said that new infections and AIDS-related deaths in Ghana remained high.
He therefore urged individuals to adopt protective behaviours, including abstaining from sex, being faithful to one uninfected partner and using condoms consistently.
"Death from AIDS remains one of the top causes of death in Ghana. In this day and age, no one should die of AIDS-related causes. We need to protect ourselves by behaving well,” he said.
Dr Atuahene then expressed hope for a future where HIV is no longer a public health threat.
As part of the campaign, the Ghana AIDS Commission plans to embark on an extensive community outreach leading up to World AIDS Day.
Some participants in the candlelight procession
Activities will include educational sessions in markets, schools and public events, aiming to increase awareness and testing for HIV.
Dr Atuahene called on participants to engage actively in these health screenings, stressing that knowing one's status was crucial for prevention efforts.
“Testing and knowing your HIV status is the entry point for effective prevention and effective treatment," he said.
He further encouraged everyone to respect and uphold the dignity of individuals affected by HIV and avoid stigmatising and discriminating against them.
“The rights of people who live with HIV must be protected just like everyone else. We should not discriminate because HIV/AIDS does not discriminate,” he stressed.
