A project to involve all sectors of the economy in the fighting against HIV and AIDS in the Agona Municipality, was launched at Agona Swedru, on Wednesday.
The project dubbed: “Multi Sectoral HIV and AIDS Project (MSHAP)”, is being implemented by the Health and Education Relief Organisation (HERO) Network, a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), with funding from the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development and the Ghana AIDS Commission.
The theme for the launch was; “Action against HIV and AIDS Stigma and Discrimination”.
Speaking at the function, Mr Eric Akobeng, Municipal HIV and AIDS Focal Person said the pandemic could no longer be regarded as only a health issue because it had gone beyond that and now affecting the economy.
Mr Akobeng, who is the Municipal Budget Analyst, commended HERO for deciding to take multi-sectoral approach in fighting the pandemic.
He expressed dismay about the behaviour of some Ghanaians, who still doubt the existence of HIV/AIDS and stressed that the disease was real and people who lead careless sexual lifestyle could easily contract it.
The HIV/AIDS Focal Person reminded Ghanaians that no cure had been found for the pandemic, and advised the public to desist from indiscriminate sex.
Mr Justice Anim, Municipal Disease Control Officer called on Religious bodies to be proactive and educate their members on HIV/AIDS.
He urged them to form HIV clubs to impress on their youth to abstain from premarital sex.
Mr Anim noted that, since the preaching of abstinence and safe sex were not making any meaningful impacts on the prevention of the disease, the religious bodies should encourage the use of the condom.
Mr Anim said out of the 6,662 people who were tested at Agona Swedru, 264 proved positive, which meant the prevalence rate was high in the municipality, since those tested did not even come with their partners.
Mr Isaac Tettey, Municipal Planning Officer, who represented the Municipal Chief Executive, said the theme was appropriate and was in line with the government’s declaration of 2011 as a year of action and urged them to carry the message on HIV/AIDS to every corner of the municipality.
He said the Assembly had some funds available for People Living with the disease but because of stigmatization they fear to access it.
Mr Tettey said the Assembly had made it a condition for contractors working in the municipality to embark on HIV/AIDS education in their areas of operation.
They must also provide condoms for use by their workers.
Mr Bright Amissah-Nyarko, the Executive Director of the NGO cautioned that, efforts to fight the disease must not dehumanize people living with the disease by stigmatizing and discriminating against them.
“We must not shun people living with the disease but to treat them just like friends, who have malaria,” the Executive Director said.
Mr Amissah-Nyarko said stigmatization and discrimination would help kill AIDS victims faster than the disease itself.
Mr Emmanuel Ankama, Project Coordinator, said HERO Network had selected some communities, religious groups and clubs to be trained and empowered to work on the pandemic, in their communities and workplaces.
Mr Thomas Kwesi Asante, former Presiding Member of the Agona West Municipal Assembly, who chaired the function, appealed to HERO Network to involve assembly members in their programmes.