Stigmatization/Discrimination against PLWA violates human rights

Tema, July 23, GNA - Prof Sakyi Awuku-Amuah, the former Director General of Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), has described stigmatization and discrimination against People Living With AIDS (PLWA) as violation against human rights and advised against it. He said though no cure had been found for the pandemic, medication is available to help prolong the life of infected people but stigmatization and discrimination put fear in them thus killing them faster than the virus itself.

Prof. Awuku-Amuah was presenting a paper at the just ended forum organized by the Voices of African Mothers (VAM), an NGO, in collaboration with the MDG Global Watch for some students, queen mothers, NGOs and individuals. was held under the theme "the critical role of women in the attainment of the MDGs". In attendance was a delegation from Suriname. Prof. Awuku-Amuah said Ghana had made efforts to reduce the prevalent rate and appealed to PLWA to declare their status publicly by forming associations.

He deplored the practice by some institutions and churches who subject their employees and members to AIDS test to know their status before either employing them or blessing their marriages as that usually place them in an uncomfortable situation. The former GAC Director General debunked the perception that people in the low income group often contract the virus and that the affluent also fall victim to it and seek medication which is unknown to others. Prof Awuku-Amuah said the source of the HIV/AIDS is still not known therefore advised the public to lead responsible lives to avoid contracting it from any source.

Some female student participants called for continuous programmes and advertisements on AIDS on television and radio to remind the youth of their roles and responsibilities.