400,000 Ghanaians Have AIDS - Doc

Accra - About four hundred thousand Ghanaians are suspected to have contracted the deadly HIV/AIDS disease, but show no signs of sickness or symptoms of infection. The figure does not include the 37,298 Ghanaians who are already infected with the disease.

According to Dr. Kweku Yeboah, National Co-ordinator of AIDS Control, statistics indicates that an estimated 120,000 children in Ghana have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Out of the reported AIDS cases, 50% are young people, while mother-to-child infection represent 15% .

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Dr. George Puplampu, Vice Chairman of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) said the disturbing trend of AIDS infection was a threat to the country's manpower as people in the prime of their lives succumb to infection.

"With the already difficult socio-economic situation that Ghana faces, the cost of treatment for AIDS affected people and children, puts a strain on both human and material resources" He added.

Dr. Puplampu called on government to put measures in place to ensure that children have access to assistance to prevent them from becoming destitute and taking to the street.

He said taboos about premarital sex and fear of societal disapproval is a hindrance to the flow of information on sexually transmitted disease including AIDS.