AIDS Ambassador In Trouble

Joyce Dzidzor Mensah
A Ghanaian AIDS Ambassador, Joyce Dzidzor Mensah, is in trouble after she told NEWS-ONE she had never tested positive for HIV but was only telling the nation and the world a lie just to satisfy her selfish interests.

The Ghana AIDS Commission in response to the confession has issued a rather porous press statement which apart from saying the Commission has evidence that Joyce has AIDS, failed to respond to the issues her confession has generated.

'There is evidence to support her initial claim of being HIV positive since 2007

and she has been benefitting from antiretroviral therapy from health facilities

in Accra,' the statement noted and added that 'on the 12th of November, 2012 the

Ghana AIDS Commission formally terminated the contract with Joyce Dzidzor Mensah on account of breach of her terms of contract. Unfortunately she failed to respond or engage with the Commission for full exit debrief.'

Meanwhile not-for-profit organisation, Youth Eye Innovations Foundation, has also issued a statement on the development, calling for criminal investigations into the confession made by Joyce.

The statement, signed by the Foundation's Executive Secretary, Samuel Awuni, noted that the 'unscrupulous act by the said Joyce Dzidzor Mensah should not be taken lightly despite her voluntarily declaring  her status as HIV 'Negative'. This act undoubtedly is criminal under the laws and further demoralisation to persons living with HIV/AIDS. Joyce by her confession clearly knew what she was about from the onset. This is an act of impersonation and distortion.'

It continued: 'she enjoyed all the privileges due her as an ambassador of HIV/AIDS, i.e. representing persons living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana; she received recognition International, The Presidency and Non Governmental Organisations to execute various projects and activities as the Brand Ambassador. This act is a slam on the image of the country at the international level and 'a chance wrecking one' for genuine people living with HIV/AIDS.

'Her present confession is clearly a plotted scam of the highest level and must be treated as criminal as a matter of urgency; hence the need to investigate the various projects undertaken during her period and the various funds and support she has enjoyed within those periods. Her family background must to be checked and her accomplices equally be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to those with similar motives or already practising fraudsters.

'Her stated intention of having done it for a 'worthy cause' must totally be scrubbed off; the core interest should be the act.

'This revelation further brings to bare the faults within some of our various Institution, Government and Private, to properly investigate and research the background of some people they chose to help or channel resources through.

'Majority of young people living with or without HIV have over the years looked up to this lady as a source of motivation considering her inspiring story. This revelation however would have some psychological influence on how they perceive HIV/AIDS to how real it is.

'The various stakeholders including the Ghana Aids Commission, The President, NGOs and Churches must awaken to present day fraud by making the case of Joyce a lesson. The government must immediately begin to look into similar issues and bring them to book.'