Global Goals Initiative undertakes HIV and AIDS stigma campaign in schools

Global Goals Initiative (GGI), a Ghanaian NGO, on Wednesday organised media briefing on its HIV and AIDS stigmatisation campaign in schools.

The GGI, whose core mission is to embark on HIV and AIDS campaign in Ghana, was of the view that stigma was the major reason why the AIDS epidemic continued to devastate societies around the world including families and communities in Ghana.

Mr. William Larbi Amoah, Executive Director, GGI, said reducing stigma was a critical aspect of the national response, “We must continue to explore varied approaches by which to avert these”.

He said stigma remained one of the major barriers in the development of effective prevention of new infections, provision of care and support for People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) while GGI in collaboration with other NGOs working in the field of HIV work to help reduce the impact and effect of the disease.

Mr. Amoah said because of stigma, some people refused to disclose their HIV status, while others refused to get tested in the first place for fear of testing positive and being rejected by their families, friends and society.

He said the ultimate aim of the campaign was to help reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWHIV, with the youth playing a leading role and make schools stigma-free zones to ensure comfortability of both students and teachers to promote peaceful teaching and learning.

Mr. Amoah said the campaign should lead to a change in perceptions, belief, behaviours and practices of all Ghanaians and further deepen the knowledge of the public on issues pertaining to HIV and AIDS, to stimulate acceptable attitudes towards PLWHIV.

He unveiled a poster to mark the beginning of the campaign, but said it would be officially launched soon to ensure an effective campaign in schools across the country.**