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Over 8,000 females live with HIV/AIDS in Bono Region — HIV Coordinator
The female population of persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLwHAs) in the Bono Region outnumbers the male, statistics from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has indicated. The figure reveals as of September 2024, out of the total 11,401 persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLwHAs) in the region, 8,481 of them were females and 2,727 males.
Mr Emmanuel Obeng-Hinneh, the Bono Regional HIV Coordinator of the GHS who disclosed the figures, added that, however, all PLwHAs were currently on treatment.
He was speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Sunyani organised by the Bono Regional office of the Technical Support Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) in collaboration with the Bono Regional Coordinating Council.
The meeting sought to identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen the Regional HIV response and provided a common platform for the stakeholders to share, identify and find lasting solutions to challenges and well strategies to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
Mr Obeng-Hinneh also highlighted the Viral Load (VL) testing trend on HIV, saying out of the 9,791 clients eligible for test, 8,177 samples had been taken, with 6,270 tests conducted.
“The VL testing coverage was 64 per cent with 88 per cent VL suppression rate,” he stated. Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Bambilla, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional Technical Coordinator of the GAC urged the stakeholders to continue to support the Commission to effectively respond to the HIV trend in the region. He stressed the GAC’s commitment to support NGOs to undertake HIV preventive measures and programmes in order to help stem the spread of the disease. -GNA
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Invest in the welfare of children – UNICEF
The Country Representative for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ghana, Mr. Osama Makkawi Khogali, has urged the government and other stakeholders to invest more in the welfare of children.
He explained that Africa was home to a growing number of children, and by the year 2050, four out of every 10 children in the world will live in Africa.
This, he said, was a major reason why more investments are needed in children’s education, health, nutrition, safety, digital access, and job training.
Mr Khogali said this in a statement copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday June 16 to commemorate the Day of the African Child.
Every year on June 16, the Day of the African Child is celebrated to remember the brave children of the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa. These children stood up against unfair education and fought for their rights. Today, the day reminds everyone to stand up for the rights and welfare of African children.
Mr. Khogali said, “we must act now so that children would not only survive but grow and succeed. Africa’s future is global, and it begins with the children of today.”
The Country Representative for UNICEF said, in Ghana, children make up about 45 per cent of the country’s population, indicating that the future of Ghana depends heavily on how well children were supported and protected today.
He therefore called on governments, communities, families, and individuals to work together and make sure every child has access to good education, health care, safety, and opportunities.
“Helping children now is the smartest way to build a strong and successful country,” he added.
UNICEF is the world’s leading children’s organisation. It works in over 190 countries to protect children’s rights and ensure that every child has the chance to live, grow, and reach their full potential.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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First Lady, Lordina Mahama address 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit in Dubai
The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday, June 18, addressed the prestigious 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai.
The programme held at Hilton Hotel was attended by First Ladies from about 15 African and Asian countries.
The First Lady shared insights on strengthening healthcare systems, empowering women, and celebrating the impactful partnership between Ghana and the Merck Foundation over the past 13 years.
Mrs Mahama also underscored the critical role of First Ladies as Ambassadors for the “More Than a Mother” campaign, working to break the stigma around infertility and promote gender equality.
At the Committee Meeting held on Thursday, June 19, Mrs.Lordina Mahama through her presentation showed video documentary of her varied projects aimed at impacting lives.
The documentary showcased her extensive works in Education, health and other sectors of the country.
This received applauds and commendation from her colleague First Ladies and leadership of Merck Foundation.
Expressing gratitude to the Merck Foundation, she reiterated her and the Lordina Foundation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration for enhanced initiatives in health, education, and combating social stigma across Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Dubai
