Every year, on December 1st, the global community comes together to observe World AIDS Day, demonstrating solidarity with individuals worldwide who are living with HIV.
In the current year, the United Nations has chosen the theme “Let Communities Lead,” emphasizing the pivotal role of community organizations in spearheading the fight against HIV on a global scale.
As per the Ghana AIDS Commission’s statistics, approximately 935,000 individuals are currently grappling with the virus, while a tragic 580,000 have succumbed to its impact.
In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, issued a plea for government assistance in overcoming barriers that impede an effective response to HIV and AIDS within the country.
He highlighted certain gaps in the National HIV response, particularly underscoring the insufficient allocation of resources for impact mitigation and social protection for those rendered vulnerable by AIDS.
“Despite the progress we’ve made with the National HIV response, impact mitigation and social protection for people made vulnerable by AIDS, is one of the key neglected areas of resource allocation in the response.”
Additionally, Dr. Atuahene pointed out a concerning shift in the prevalence of HIV infections, notably affecting the middle-class demographic in recent times. This shift, he warned, poses a significant threat to the Ghanaian economy.
“What we know is that, the age group that is most affected is the economically active population, which is from 15 to 49 years. As a country we know that a healthy population means a healthy economy because this group of people work to give us the National Growth Rate and Income Growth Rate, now if these people are affected then it is worrying.”
“HIV is a business issue, HIV is an industry issue, HIV is an economic issue and if we do not pay serious attention to it, then we stand the risk of having our economies seriously undermined.” He stated.