Assembly assists AIDS victims

Nkoranza (B/A) Oct. 29, GNA - Nkoranza District Assembly on Sunday presented provisions worth more than one million cedis to members of Hope Association in Nkoranza, made up of 25 people living with HIV/AIDS. The gesture was to encourage them to feel as part of the Ghanaian society.

Mr Adjei Yeboah, Presiding Member, who made the presentation advised members of the association to lead exemplary lives in order to win the respect and sympathy of the people.

Mr Yeboah commended the members for voluntarily declaring their status and urged those living with the pandemic to emulate them and join the campaign against its spread.

HIV/AIDS is no respecter of persons, as it does not consider one's qualifications, age, status, occupation or properties, he said.

Mr Yeboah urged the general public to desist from stigmatising or discriminating against people living with HIV/AIDS as every one is at risk of contracting the disease.

Mr Solomon Obeng-Danquah, District HIV/AIDS focal person, advised members of the association not to consider themselves as inferior "for not until God calls you to eternity, your lives and services to society are highly recognized and admired".

Mr Obeng-Danquah urged them to freely interact with their relatives, friends and others to receive care and support to enhance their lifestyles.

He advised parents to show compassion to affected children and to encourage them in life so that they would not feel dejected. Mr Obeng-Danquah explained that the visit of the Nkoranza District AIDS committee and the presentation from the Assembly was part of activities arranged by the AIDS committee to mark World AIDS Day celebration, which falls on December 1.

The Nkoranza District School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinator, Mrs. Christine Segbefia, advised members of the Association to offer themselves to God to enjoy His tender care and blessings. Mrs. Segbefia urged them to count themselves as happy citizens and still being alive as death was inevitable to every human.

A member of the association, Mr Prince Boachie, volunteered to give the necessary education and testimony at every open forum that the Nkoranza district AIDS committee would organize to conscientise the general public about the pandemic.

Mr Richard Gyidi, Chairman of the Association, commended the Nkoranza District AIDS committee and the District Assembly for the gesture and called on other philanthropists to emulate them.