Speaking in relation to the World’s Aids Day on December 1, 2011, he said the commission’s objective is to encourage Ghanaians to be wary and ensure a reduction of the disease.
He intimated that nearly 50% of the infections emanate from the youth and asked them to purge themselves from contracting the disease.
He espoused the idea that HIV/AIDS should be prevented since the disease is incurable and added that the Commission aims to reduce the infection by 50% from now to five years.
This year’s Aids day which is titled “Getting to zero, the role of the youth” is centered on the younger generation to stop the widespread of the deadly HIV/AIDS.
“So, we need to have young people highlighted as part of the target groups and then also ensure that we have them at the centre of action to help reach out to other young people to modify their sexual behaviours. And then also contribute to a decline of HIV among young people and then also among adults.” he said.
He called for unity among Ghanaians to combat the disease since HIV is “no respecter of persons" and advised them to act out their role in ensuring a total eradication of the disease.
Richard Amenyah, in an interview with X fm news team, attributed the high rate of HIV/AIDS to the multiple sex partners and indiscriminate sex which according to him prolong the infections instead of making it ineffective. He further admonished young people to engage in safe sex and also shack up with one partner.
He defused the bad perception about Aids infected persons which usually leads to stigma saying Aids patients can live longer when they are given the proper healthcare. He disclosed that in Ghana, almost 62000 people infected by HIV/AIDS are diagnosed with anti-retroviral drugs which reduce the infection and enable them to stay longer.
Describing it as a “misconception”, he implored Ghanaians to stop discriminating against those who have contracted the disease.
He estimated that about 220000 people have contracted the disease with others oblivious of the virus in their bodies and as a result appealed to every Ghanaian to undergo the Aids test.
According to him, the test is the surest way for a person to know his or her status in order to either reduce further infections or stimulate those who would be negatively tested to apply the necessary measures to remain negative.
He however admitted that the HIV/AIDS campaign can only be successful when every person plays an important role to curb the disease and also said that sex education should be incorporated into the family, schools and religious bodies.
He added the Ghana Aids Commission is launching its “Heart to Heart” campaign to engage the HIV/AIDS infected persons to educate people and the entire society about the predicament.
He said the Commission is ready to partner other organizations to fight against the disease and appealed to the government to keep assisting them.
Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana
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