WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION

The West Gonja District of the Northern Region joined the rest of the World to celebrate this year's AIDS Day.

Speaking on the theme "Universal access and human rights: Action noow!!! The World Vision Area Development Programme Manager of West Gonja Mr. Paul Azeka noted that HIV virus is no respecter of persons regardless their age, gender, colour, or religious commitment.

The manager pointed out that the HIV virus is transmitted in several ways but the main mode of transmission was through risky sexual behaviours such as having multiple sexual partners and having unprotected sex.

According to Mr. Paul Azeka Statistics reveals that,

- In 2008, globally, about 2 million people died of AIDS, 33.4 million were living with HIV and 2.7 million people were newly infected with the virus.
- However, certain groups are at particular risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men (Homosexuals), injecting drug users, commercial sex workers, and in recent times those engaged in galamscy business.
_ The impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls has been particularly devastating.Women and girls now comprise 50 percent of those aged 15 and offer living with HIV.
_ The impact of HIV/AIDS on children and young people is a severe and growing problem. In 2008, 430.000 children under age 15 were infected.

With HIV and 280.000 died of AIDS.IN addition, about 15 million children have lost on or both parents due to the disease. Yet, majority of young people are not fully aware of HIV prevention methods.

He said as a child focused organization, World Vision has a vision of ensuring that every child attains fullness of life where they enjoy good health, are educated for life, feel protected and participating in the development process and above all, are morally and spiritually sound.

He added that their question to fight poverty, improve health and promote transformational development is greatly hampered by the issue of HIV and AIDS.

He stated the following as some of the issues of HIV and AIDS that hinders development;

- The disease dimishes a person's ability to support, work and provide for his/here family, the cost of treatment and health care to HIV/AIDS persons consumes households incomes
- It also deepens socio-economic and gender inequalities. Girls and women are more at risk of the infection and therefore have few options for providing for their families. Children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS due to risky behaviours or parental illness are less likely to receive education as they leave school to care for their sick relations or themselves.
- HIV and AIDS strains the human resources of communities - Hospitals, School, Social Services and other business. Various professionals have died out of the HIV/AS, the impact of which leads to low productivity and lowering living standards.

It is in the light of the above he said, that World Vision recognizes the significance of World AIDS Day which offers everybody an opportunity to reflect on the HIV and AIDS pandemic, its devastating effects and impact on the quality of life.

He reminded the audience to bear in mind of those who are living with HIV and AIDs. He added that they desrve support, love, compassion, respect and care as they are equally human beings created in the image of God.

He urged everyone to join PLHIV in their appeal to government to include anti-retroviral in the National Health Insurance Scheme to enhance accessibility of treatment.

He prompted all the audience particularly the children and they youth that they are the 'window of hope' for the District and mother Ghana tomorrow and the district cannot afford to lose them premature.

He advised them to abstain from all forms of risky sexual behaviours, be faithful to their studies and use their conscience wisely.

The celebration brought together heads of decentralised departments, school children, civil society groups, political party leaders and traditional authorities among others.


BY: REGINA ATULE, DAMONGO