EASTERN REGION was identified as the region with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country last year.
According to Dr John Ekow Otoo of St Francis Xavier Hospital at Assin Fosu, statistics has indicated that the Eastern region topped the AIDS chart in the country with the highest percentage of 4.2%, followed by Ashanti region with 3% and the Greater Accra region.
The Northern region recorded the lowest with only 0.1%.
Dr Otoo, who was giving a presentation on the current situation of HIV/AIDS in the country, disclosed this at Assin Fosu during an AIDS programme organised by the Perfector of Sentiments (POS) foundation in collaboration with the Assin North Municipal Assembly, as part of activities marking the World AIDS day.
The programme which was supported by the St Francis Xavier Hospital was under the theme, 'Universal Human Right and Accessibility- Making Discipline a Genuine Culture and an Integral Part of Ghanaians'.
Dr Ekow Otoo said even though the national prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS declined from 1.9% in 2007 to 1.7% last year, the disease is still a major threat to the nation's development as only 8% of the country's total population know their status.
He encouraged people to go for counseling and testing and advised them to avoid keeping multiple sex partners so as to reduce the menace.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Assin North, Alex Antwi-Bosiako, called for the need for people to show concern and fight for the rights of people living with AIDS to enable them contribute their quota to the nation's development.
The DCE disclosed that the municipal council has provided funds for testing of about 912 communities in the area this year to enable them know their HIV/AIDS status.
He added that his outfit would intensify education on AIDS to help reduce the canker and urged Ghanaians not to be complacent because the AIDS prevalence rate in the country has declined.
He further disclosed that the prevalence rate in the municipality has reduced from 3.1% in 2006 to 1.2% in 2008.
A medical doctor at St Francis Xavier Hospital, Dr Nathaniel L. Yemoh, noted that HIV/AIDS was no more a health issue but a development issue since it has become a challenge to the development of the nation.
He emphasized the need for discipline and promotion of cultural practices that will instill discipline in the youth so as to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
From Sarah Afful, Assin Fosu
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