Ghanaians must not be afraid of voluntary HIV/AIDS testing

Wa, July 29, GNA- Mr Ebenezer Awuku, HIV/AIDS Project Co-ordinator of the Information Services Department (ISD) has urged Ghanaians to overcome their fears for voluntary HIV/AIDS tests.

He said for one to know his HIV/AIDS status was the surest way the country could effectively address the problem.

Mr Awuku was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Wa on Wednesday after launching the second phase of the HIV/AIDS campaign by the ISD at the border town of Hamile in the Lawra District.

Mr Awuku said even though there was no known cure for the disease, it could be managed if diagnosed early to make the person live longer with anti retro-viral drugs.

In all four mobile cinema vans from the ISD headquarters in Accra were engaged for the exercise.

Mr Awuku said unlike the first phase, which dwelt on awareness, condom use, abstaining and compassion, the second phase is focusing on voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS.

Mr Mark Woyongo, Deputy Director, Finance and Administration and one of the leaders of the campaign team, said already similar campaigns had been held in the Northern and Upper East Regions.

He said the campaign team would take its messages to the border towns, lorry parks, as well as prison officers and prison inmates. Mr Woyongo added that during the campaign, the cinema vans would also be showing films on the HIV/AIDS to bring it home to the people the reality of the disease.

The team leaves Upper West for the Brong Ahafo Region after three-day campaign exercise.