CDD Ghana Pushes For Voluntary Testing On World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

This year's World AIDS day is on the theme: 'Know Your Status'.

Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

In Ghana, a recent report released by the Ghana AIDS Commission indicate that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the youth in 2017, particularly those below the age of 24, rose to about 45% across the country.

It is against this background that the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), is calling on stakeholders in Ghana to intensify their efforts in encouraging the youth to accept voluntary counseling and testing of their status.

“CDD-Ghana wishes to encourage state agencies within the health sector and other relevant institutions, such as the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), to prioritize and intensify sensitization efforts to enable as many Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to accept voluntary counseling and testing,” CDD added in a statement.

This year's World AIDS day is on the theme: 'Know Your Status' as timely.”

A recent report released by the Ghana AIDS Commission indicated that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the youth in 2017, particularly those below the age of 24, rose to about 45% nationwide .

The Commission attributed the upsurge to unprotected sex as well as low knowledge of the youth about the infection.

According to CDD-Ghana, the issue should be a source of great concern to all considering that Ghana's youthful population (under 25) stands at about 57%.

“As government and other non-state actors are working to create an enabling environment to educate, create employment opportunities and encourage the active participation of the youth in the governance and development process of the country, it is important for us to ensure the youthful population live responsible lives to preserve their health,” the statement added.

New infections jumped up by 70% in 2016

In 2016, new HIV infections in Ghana went up by 70.15 %.

The figure increased from 12,000 new infections in 2015, to 20,418 in 2016.

A Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) report also revealed that in 2016, a total of 15,116 people in Ghana died of HIV and AIDS-related illness.

READ CDD-Ghana’s full statement below:

WORLD AIDS DAY 2018: LET'S SECURE THE FUTURE OF GHANA'S YOUTH

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) considers this year's World AIDS Day being commemorated under the theme: 'Know Your Status' as timely, and wishes to encourage state agencies within the health sector and other relevant institutions, such as the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), to prioritize and intensify sensitization efforts to enable as many Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to accept voluntary counseling and testing.

A recent report released by the GAC indicating that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the youth in 2017, particularly those below the age of 24, rose to about 45% nationwide should be a source of great concern to all. Considering that Ghana's youthful population (under 25) stands at about 57%, this revelation from GAC is very disturbing as the report suggests the nation is facing major challenges regarding its future leaders.

As government and other non-state actors are working to create an enabling environment to educate, create employment opportunities and encourage the active participation of the youth in the governance and development process of the country, it is important for us to ensure the youthful population live responsible lives to preserve their health since GAC has attributed this rise in HIV/AIDS among the youth to risky lifestyle choices which exposes them to the disease.

The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) identifies stigma and discrimination as one of the major barriers preventing people from getting tested, while the lack of access to confidential HIV counseling and testing causes many to only get test when they have fallen ill or hospitalized.

Despite the passage of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act 2016 (Act 938), which is to protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, stigmatization and discrimination very much exists in the country. Further, the stigmatization and deliberate denial of existence of sexual minorities in the country also continue to fuel the spread of the HIV virus, and has undermined the ability of the individuals involved to seek the necessary support and treatment. Although the GAC's National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projection Report (2017-2022) highlights the significant progress which has been made in the fight against HIV in Ghana, more concrete steps need to be taken to consolidate these gains since the HIV population among young adults aged 15-24 years increased by 5.41% between 2013-2018.

The Commission attributed this increase partly to weak legal environment and non-enforcement of laws and policies in Ghana, as well as reduction in public education and sensitization on HIV over the period.

As the nation joins the world in the celebration of World AIDS Day on Saturday, December 1, 2018, there is the need to collectively work towards achieving a society free of stigmatization and discrimination against Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and sexual minorities.

In addition, there is the need to intensify awareness, regular and continuous access to HIV prevention materials, treatment, care and support services.

---CitinewsRoom