Need for attitudinal change to reduce HIV/AIDS - Mills

Accra, Sept. 15, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday urged members of the Ghana AIDS Commission to bring their diverse experiences to bear on the national fight against HIV/AIDS and its eradication.

He stressed the need for behavioural and attitudinal change to put the scourge under check for better health for a better Ghana. President Mills made the call when inaugurating the 46-member Commission at the Castle, Osu.

It is being chaired by President Mills and the Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama as the Vice Chairman. Other members include Ministers of State and Religion, top level Civil Servants, and representatives of Civil Society Organisations. Ghana's current HIV/AIDS prevalent rate dropped from the last sentinel survey of 1.9 per cent to 1.7 per cent in 2007. Despite the high 95 per cent awareness level, attitudes are yet to significantly change for the better. President Mills expressed appreciation to the members for their acceptance to serve the nation and urged them to begin work immediately, adding "Government will never down-play the fight against the pandemic." He noted that success in the fight against HIV/AIDS was linked to the nation's development goals. Vice President Mahama said despite the decrease in the prevalence rate, there were about 240,000 people who were still living with HIV/AIDS in the country.

"This is a figure we must strive to bring to zero. Fear of stigmatization and rejection is making most patients reluctant to check and display their status. Let us endeavour to completely eradicate stigmatization, "he said.

The members are; Dr George Sipa Yankey, Minister of Health; Mrs Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Information; Madam Hannah Tetteh; Minister of Trade and Industry; Mr Cletus Avoka, Minister for the Interior; Mrs Juliana Azumah Mensah, Minister of Tourism; Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture; Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development; Alhaji Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education and Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs. Others are Sheikh Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo, General Secretary of the Federation of Muslim Councils; Nana Oye Lithur, a Human Rights activist, Dr Grace Bediako, Government Statistician; Apostle John Annan Adotey, President of Ghana Pentecostal Council and Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana.