AIDS carriers form association

Donkro-Nkwanta (B/A) Sept. 27, GNA - A group of HIV/AIDS carriers at Nkoranza have formed an Association called "Hope Association" and aim at helping to promote education against the pandemic.

Mr. Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, District Chief Executive, announced this at the inauguration of a Community Based Organization, under the name, "Yadee Ye Ya HIV/AIDS Campaign Team" at Donkro-Nkwanta.

He commended members of Hope Association for boldly informing the public about how they got infected and not spreading it to other people.

"If all other carriers could identify themselves and not feel shy about such disclosure, the educational campaigns about the pandemic would not be very necessary and its spread would be halted", he said.

Mr. Ampofo-Twumasi said the Nkoranza District Assembly would decide to arrange for some incentives for them in order not to feel dejected or neglected in the communities. He urged community-based organisations to intensify education about the pandemic at durbar grounds, in churches, at concert shows and other gatherings.

Mr. Solomon Obeng-Danquah, District HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Officer emphasized that the pandemic was at the door steps of every individual and called on all to stick to the preventive measures against it.

He dismissed the notion by some people that the pandemic was only prevalent in the cities and urban centers, noting that there were increasing reported cases from even farming settlements and some small towns.

The district officer said the Ghana AIDS Commission wanted people to go for voluntary AIDS tests to know their state of health to avoid the infected ones spreading it to other people. Mr. Obeng-Danquah called on CBOs to mobilize their people to raise funds to support and sustain programmes and activities of Ghana AIDS Commission.

The local Chairman of the CBO, Mr. Kwasi Baffoe, mentioned Asuano, Baanofour, Kyeradeso, Salamkrom, Chechewere, Aboasu, Kyirefere, Nkwaese and Nwoase as communities where they would visit to educate the people about the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS. He called on Assembly Members, Unit Committees and Traditional rulers to mobilize the people for educational fora on the pandemic to save the lives of the people.

The Assembly Member for the area, Mr. Collins Ofosu, commended Ghana AIDS Commission for showing great concern for the lives of the people through its programmes to combat the pandemic.

Nana Kwasi Okyere-Bour, Ankobeahene of Donkro-Nkwanta who presided, expressed gratitude to members of the Yadee Ye Ya HIV/AIDS Campaign Team, for their voluntary gesture to educate the people On the dangers of the pandemic.

He gave the assurance that the elders of the area would support the CBO in its activities.