Ministry organizes get-together for PLWHAs

Sunyani (B/A), Jan. 04, GNA - The Sunyani-based Mount Horeb Glory Ministry on Saturday organised an end of year get-together for 20 People Leaving With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) at Hotel de Jet in Sunyani. Organised jointly by the Brong-Ahafo Regional Directorates of Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) and ACTION AID, the get-together for the PLWHAs was the first-ever in the history of Brong-Ahafo to be organised by any person, organization or group of persons in the region.

The PLWHAs feted were selected from some towns in Brong-Ahafo, Western and Ashanti regions They included from the Brong-Ahafo Region, Techimantia, Chiraa, Bechem, Abesim, Kintampo and Sunyani, from the Ahanti Region, Tepa, Wanafo, Jacobu and from the Western Region, Oseikojokrom. Also in attendance to grace the occasion were representatives of Christian Mothers' Association within the Catholic Church of Sunyani, the Brong-Ahafo Social Welfare and Community Development and Hope Association of PLWHAs.

In a welcoming address, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mount Horeb Glory Ministry, Reverend Dr. Kwesi Biney suggested to the Government and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) to sponsor Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with good standing to organise parties for PLWHAs in the country at the end of every year.

Rev. Biney expressed concern about how the PLWHAs were left out in such get-togethers, even though at end of every year, many government and private organizations feted orphans, street children, "kaya yie" as well as the aged.

Rev. Biney said his Ministry, a non-profit Christian organization, founded 10 years ago, had supported PLWHAs to enable them live comfortable life.

He said the education on the dreadful disease should be directed against stigmatization of PLWHAs and this, had to be supported by activities such as organization of end-of-year get-togethers or parties for them.

Mr Samuel Ofori Boakye, Brong-Ahafo Regional Manager of ISODEC stated that, PLWHAs could live healthy and productive life, if they had access to information, treatment, care and support.

Mr Boakye expressed ISODEC's appreciation for the efforts made by Mount Horeb Ministry to assume responsibility to provide information, care and support to people in that category.