International AIDS conference, MIRACA 2003

A three-day conference titled ‘Socio-economic impediments in the fight against HIV/AIDS’ was organized by local AIDS NGO -- Miracle Rock Foundation (MIROF). The President of MIROF, Rev. Dr. Charles Abban, had invited 320 participants who attended the conference which was held at the Ghana National Teachers Association (GNAT) meeting hall on October 22-24. MIROF is a multinational NGO with subsidiary branches in UK, USA, Togo, and Cameroon which mainly focuses on introducing affordable HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment to Ghanaian people. Delegates from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra Leone, and Thailand took part in this truly international event.

The goal of the conference was to address the problem of the price of AIDS drugs as the main obstacle that prevents their use in developing countries, especially in Africa, where 70% of HIV-infected patients reside. The average yearly price of AIDS therapy and related health care of affected patients in industrialized countries runs as high as $22,000 – an amount that corresponds to the combined income of as many as one hundred individuals in developing countries. It became painfully clear that unless something is done urgently the whole African continent may face the extinction by 2040.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Sakyi Awuku Amoa, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission and Mr. Moses Dani Baah, the Deputy Health Minister. Professor Amoa praised MIROF as an example of NGO which has proven its worth by its work as opposed to some NGO’s who have failed to use their funds for intended purposes.

The second day of the meeting was honored by the presence of Hon. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei Darko, and Dr. Osei Akoto the Deputy Minister of Finances who had presented to MIROF ?50 million as a token of appreciation and trust in their valuable and important work.

The presentations on most various subjects were heard during the conference. These included thought-inspiring talks from other established trustworthy NGO’s such as Family Health International, Ghanet, GAWE, CAFACAYO, WISDOM Association, Megavest, VITAL, and West African AIDS Foundation. STEPTEAM International and REAILO -- NGOs from Nigeria and Togo shared with attendants their experience in their home countries. The talks have brought the vivid reaction from the public including heartbreaking testimonies from AIDS patents, Mr. Charles Aikins and Ms. Winifred Williams

The last day of the conference was culminated by the presentation of a documentary film made by American moviemaker Mr. John Rubino. The movie about AIDS epidemic in Thailand was followed by a slide show from Immunitor Corporation Co., Ltd., (www.immunitor.com), the manufacturer of V-1 Immunitor (V1) – an immune boosting dietary supplement from Thailand. V1, also known by its scientific name as an ‘oral AIDS vaccine’ is currently registered in Ghana by Food and Drugs Board as a food supplement and has been successfully used by about 800 Ghanaian AIDS and hepatitis patients under care of MIROF and other NGOs and doctors. Other product offered to AIDS patients during conference was wound-healing herbal cream produced by Sunshine Body Care of Accra, Ghana.

In addition to distinguished speakers the audience was enchanted by skilled dancers who raced through beating drums and by songs from well-known celebrities such as Mr. Abrekyieba Kofi Sammy. Rev. Dr. Charles Abban has concluded the intensive 3-day session by announcing to the public that he plans to have even bigger event the next year and he will have delegates from all over the Africa and other parts of the world affected by AIDS pandemic. Anyone interested to find out more about MIROF and its activities can write email to: miraclerock@hotmail.com.