Education policy on HIV/AIDS policy launched

Accra, Nov. 30, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports on Thursday launched the Education Sector HIV/AIDS Policy and the Strategic Work Plan for 2006 to 2010

Two policy documents on the topic aimed at creating the right environment to facilitate the sustained political commitment and support for effective action against HIV/AIDS.

Addressing the staff of the Ghana Education Service on World's AIDS Day, Paapa Owusu Ankomah, Sector Minister, said the Sector HIV/AIDS Policy was aimed at defining a set of clear goals and objectives, which should be effectively implemented through the decentralised structures to help in the fight against the pandemic.

He said the Policy would focus on addressing teacher's understanding; attitudes and behaviour to address the needs and support mechanisms towards workplace programmes, linkages and initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS.

Paapa Owusu Ankomah said the work plan clearly defined the seven intervention areas; strategies and activities that were envisaged for implementation by the Ghana AIDS Commission's National Strategic Framework for 2006 to 2010.

The intervention areas are: Policy Advocacy; Coordination and Management of the Decentralized Response; Mitigating the Social, Cultural, Legal and Economic Impacts, Prevention and Behaviour Change. The others are Treatment; Care and Support; Research; Surveillance; Monitoring and Evaluation and Mobilization of Resource and Funding Arrangement The Minister advised the staff to live a clean life by being faithful to their partners.

He said the Ministry dealt particularly with the youth, who were vulnerable and fell prey to the virus. Dr Naa Ashiley Vanderpuye of the International Healthcare Centre in Accra advised the public to show love to People Living with HIV/AIDS and desist from avoiding their company. Mr Michael Nsowah, Acting Director General at the Ministry of Education, said World's AIDS day was celebrated annually to create awareness on the pandemic, which was claiming more lives in the country.