Don’t deny people living with HIV jobs, school admission — AIDS Commission

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has cautioned that no Ghanaian should be denied employment, school admission or healthcare due to their HIV status.

The Commission’s Governing Board Chairperson, Kakra Essamuah, who issued the caution, warned institutions that require prospective employees to undergo HIV tests that they risk facing the full rigours of the law, as the country's laws do not permit such practices.

He made the remarks at the 15th National HIV and AIDS Partnership Forum organised by the GAC on Thursday, October 29.

Describing the practice as shameful and regrettable, he said it amounted to discrimination and stigmatisation, which the GAC had consistently been fighting against.

He added that HIV was not a disability that prevented people living with the virus from working in any environment.

Mr Essamuah said stigmatisation and discrimination have no place in a nation that prides itself on compassion and dignity, stressing that ending the practice is a shared responsibility.

The Partnership Forum is the Commission's principal platform for coordination and mutual accountability.

Its objectives are to take stock of progress towards national targets, report on commitments made at the previous forum and collectively agree on priority actions for the year ahead.

This year's forum, which coincided with 40 years of Ghana's HIV response, was held on the theme: “40 Years of HIV Response in Ghana: Celebrating Partnerships, Transforming Lives, Sustaining the Future.”

It brought together stakeholders in the HIV response, development partners, faith-based organisations, academia and representatives of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA).

Reflecting on Ghana's 40-year journey in responding to HIV, Mr Essamuah said that when the disease first emerged in the country four decades ago, it was surrounded by fear, silence and limited treatment options.

Today, however, he said, the situation had changed, with people living with HIV able to access life-saving treatment, raise families, build careers and contribute fully to national development.

“That transformation did not happen by chance.

“It is the result of political will, the courage of PLWHIV, the dedication of health workers and communities, and the solidarity of our international partners.

“It is a story that every Ghanaian can be proud of,” he said.

He noted that for much of the period, a significant portion of the country's HIV response had been financed through collaboration between the government and its international partners.

He said the sudden reduction in external support experienced last year was a stark reminder that sustaining the HIV response was no longer merely a technical issue but a question of national ownership, sovereignty and leadership.

The Director-General of the GAC, Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, outlined some of the Commission's achievements since the 14th Partnership Forum.

These included the establishment of a youth desk at the Commission, the development and validation of the National HIV and TB Human Rights Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030, and the design of new interventions for people who use drugs.

He also mentioned the development of a community-level data system to serve as a repository for community HIV data, which had been integrated into routine health information systems.

Dr Akanbong said progress had been slower in some areas, particularly efforts to advance local production of HIV commodities and increase government funding for the local HIV response. He said these remained priorities for the coming year.

He further noted that although Ghana had recorded a decline in new HIV infections overall, the Commission was observing an increase in new infections among people aged 15 to 24, who accounted for about 30 per cent of new infections.

“This is very worrisome, and we need to take specific actions on that,” he said.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, said the UN family remained a committed partner in Ghana's efforts to achieve full sovereignty in financing its own healthcare.

The Chief Director at the Office of the President, Dr Alhaji Abubakari Wayo, recounted Ghana's 40-year HIV response and the roles played by successive governments.

He stressed that no government, institution or development partner could end HIV and AIDS by working in isolation.

Paying tribute to people living with HIV and their networks, he said their courage, advocacy and experiences had helped shape policies, challenge stigma and reinforce the need for affected communities to participate in decision-making rather than merely receive services.

Other speakers at the forum included the Programme Manager of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, Dr Emmanuel Teviu; ICASA Director and SAA Coordinator, Luc Armand Bodea; and the President of NAP+ Ghana, Torgbe Paul Alossode.

Source: graphic.com.gh