News
Health Alert: HIV still prevalent-Over 23,000 infected in W/R
The Western Regional Office of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has advised the public to be on high alert on HIV/AIDS infections which continues to be a source of worry in the region.
“Currently, thereare 23,904 persons living with HIV in the region. Again, 1,101 people newly got infected with HIV in 2022 alone, a situation which is worrying to the Commission and partners,” the Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission for the Western Region, MrDramaniYakubu, has revealed.
He disclosed that “The current HIV Prevalence in the region was 1.63 percent. This means that, out of every 100 people in the Western Region, about two of them were living with HIV. This data clearly tells us that HIV is still here with us and we should not take risks such as unprotected sexual relationships with multiple partners.”
MrYakubu disclosed these to The Spectator in an interview on the update of HIV and Aids campaigns involving stakeholders and also to mark the 2023 World AIDS Day (WAD), which falls on December 1, every year in Ghana and across the world.
Themed “Let Communities Lead”, this year’s event provides the opportunity for stakeholders to unite in response to the HIV & AIDS epidemic, to assess efforts in responding to the epidemic and to remember those who have unfortunately died from AIDS-related causes.
MrYakubu said it was importantfor the public to test to know their HIV status and that of their partner(s), and noted that, having sex at an early age exposes one to HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and early pregnancies.
He said practicing abstinence or being faithful to an uninfected partner were key behaviours to effectively prevent HIV infections.
He said “Having sex with multiple partners increases the risk of HIV and other STI infections. If your HIV test is positive, you ought to visit a health facility to start treatment immediately. Taking HIV medication consistently reduces the amount of virus in your body, promotes good health and prolongs life.”
The Technical Coordinator told The Spectator that Antiretroviral (ARVs) were free in all health facilities, noting that, HIV related stigma creates barriers to HIV testing, treatment, care and support.
“HIV is a virus and anyone can get infected. The theme is a call for action for communities to play a more active role in the HIV response,”MrYakubu said.
He said as part of Ghana’s efforts to integrate HIV and AIDS programming into everyday activities in communities, the regional office, under the guidance of the Regional Minister, MrKwabenaOkyereDarko-Mensah, marked the 2023 Farmers’ Day alongside the World AIDS Day on Friday, November 24, across all the district assemblies.
This was to pave way for the region to host the national event at Tarkwa, yesterday.
Ghana AIDS Commission, he said, has undertaken a number of activities in collaboration with partners, with logistics such as condoms, HIV test kits, fliers and leaflets distributed, especially to the HIV Focal Persons at the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The Commission had also engaged in a month-long HIV sensitisation through local media partners to sensitise the population on HIV and AIDS and to discuss other topical issues and also together with partners, offered free health screening at the Farmers’ Day durbars on November 24.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Sekondi
The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Abena Osei Asare has expressed concerns about the failure of the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Mr. Paul Adjei to honour invitation of the Committee to assist in dealing with abandoned projects cited in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report.
She emphasised that some of the projects have been abandoned for more than 20 years and it kept reoccurring in the Auditor-General’s report yearly, stressing that the GETFund Administrator could assist by prioritising these projects.
However, he has failed to personally appear before the Committee since the commencement of the Committee’s public hearing in the 9th Parliament.
According to the 2024 Auditor-General’s report on Pre-University Educational Institutions, nine (9) Institutions with 16 projects awarded by the GET Fund Secretariat had been abandoned/delayed for a period ranging between three (3) and 28 years.
Some of the affected schools include Adanwomoase Senior High School (Boys and Girls dormitory abandoned for 12 years), Atoa Senior High School (Home Economics Block abandoned for 27 years), Beposo Senior High School (Dinning Hall and Kitchen Complex abandoned for 10 years and lastly KNUST Senior High School (Three storey classroom block abandoned for 20 years).
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy continued its oversight responsibilities with a working visit to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) yesterday.
Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, said the visit formed part of efforts to familiarize members with the Authority’s operations and to explore ways Parliament could provide the necessary support.
He explained that the NPA’s work is focused on regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, a critical area for national energy security.
Mr. Bedzrah noted that the Committee is particularly interested in assessing whether the country has adequate petroleum stock to meet demand.
He noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing US–Iran conflict, could have adverse effect on Ghana’s energy supply and pricing.
He further disclosed that the Committee intends to engage closely with the Authority on a proposed new petroleum bill.
According to him, a draft of the legislation will be reviewed and possibly presented to Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
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