Connect with us

News

Public urged to get tested and treated to end HIV and Aids

The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Stephanie Sullivan has encouraged the public to get tested and treated, as an important step towards ending HIV and AIDs.

According to her, AIDS was no longer a death sentence if people got tested, knew their status and sustained themselves on treatment, adding that persons living with HIV (PLHIV) abandoning treatment would have their viral load unsuppressed, which could cause the person to be sick or lose his or her life.

“People starting and remaining on treatment prevent the spread of HIV and once the person continues to be sustained on treatment, it would get to a point where the individual’s viral load becomes undetectable, which means that the test cannot detect the virus hence the individual cannot transmit to another person although extremely small amount of HIV would still be present in the blood.”

Ms Sullivan was speaking at the closing of a four-week intensive virtual training on HIV and COVID-19 Anti Stigma Campaign, organised by the United States President Emergency Programme for AIDS relief (PERFA) in collaboration with African Centre for Development Reporting and Media Healthlink for some selected journalists across the country.
The training, was to build the capacity of the journalists to enhance their reportage to better inform the public on HIV issues towards achieving the UNAIDS fast tract goal 95-95-95.

Advertisement

Ms Sullivan said the introduction of the one dose antiretroviral drug a day instead of two dozes was heart-warming, “knowing that when one is sustained on treatment for six or more continuous months, he or she does not transmit the virus through sex”.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, urged the media to raise awareness on the “test and treat programme” in order to improve the lives of PLHIV.

“Your continuous coverage presented in a non- technical way and your ability to help your audience to clearly understand the key difference between when the person is on treatment or not will be critical to improving the public health of the country as well as save many lives.

She said explaining HIV and AIDS issues to the ordinary people to understand would also help to address issues of stigma and discrimination as well as encourage PLHIV to take advantage of the available HIV services.

Ms Sullivan said the US government and the government of Ghana have worked
hand-in-hand over the years to improve HIV epidemic control and would continue to remain deeply committed to working with the government to extend key population’s access to quality, stigma-free, live saving HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.

Advertisement

The PERFA Media Specialist, Dzid Kwame recounted that huge investment have been made by the US government in previous years through PEPFAR in areas including capacity building, as well as in the testing and treatment of PLHIV.

She stated that it was necessary to speak about HIV and AIDS, especially in the era of COVID-19 so that the focus to achieve the 95-95_95 UN fast -track goal of ending AIDS by 2030 was not shifted.

She urged the media to continue to educate the public to enable them understand HIV issues, get tested and sustain themselves on treatment, adding that it would help achieve the goals set by 2030.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Interior minister engages key stakeholders in Ashanti Region

Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, has paid a courtesy call on Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the Regional Coordinating Council in Kumasi.

This meeting forms part of his stakeholder engagement efforts to promote peace and security nationwide.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, warmly welcomed Muntaka Mubarak to his office and expressed his gratitude for the Minister’s unwavering support and commitment to enhancing security in the region.

Dr. Amoakohene highlighted key security challenges plaguing the region and sought collaborative solutions to address these issues.

The Interior Minister reassured the Regional Minister of his dedication to working closely together to ensure crime doesn’t go unchecked in the region.

Advertisement

Since taking office, Muntaka Mubarak has been engaging key stakeholders to promote national unity, foster a shared purpose to strengthen peace and security across Ghana, leverage the wisdom and experience of stakeholders for collective progress as well as to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the nation’s prosperity and security.

Also, Muntaka Mubarak is scheduled to meet with Christian Religious Leaders, Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs to foster collaboration and promote peace, social cohesion and security as well as leveraging on their influence in promoting national harmony.

The Interior Minister will also visit agencies under his ministry to boost their morale and encourage the officers to work diligently towards achieving their mandates.

It will also afford him the opportunity to familiarize himself with their operations and assess the situation on the ground for informed decision-making.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Rain Foundation makes Ghana proud, strikes key partnership deal

The World Conference of Mayors Inc. led by its founder Johnny L. Ford, its president Jimmie Gardner, and on Sunday,March 30, 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner the Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations (RAIN Foundations), an international missions-based organization headed by the renowned Ghanaian Author Ralph Antwi. 

The historic ceremony was preceded by the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 – Ghana Edition held on Saturday March 29, 2025, at The Palms Convention Center in Accra, Ghana.

Changemakers from across the 16 regions of Ghana were present to be inspired and empowered. Youth shakers from various sectors of society were awarded. 

The partnership between The World Conference of Mayors Inc. and RAIN Foundations has an overriding objective of preparing young people all over the world to prepare for the mantles of leadership.

Advertisement

RAIN Foundations, through its global youth empowerment initiatives, will create a global network of youth shakers to help secure a better future.

The World Conference of Mayors is a global organization that brings together mayors from around the world. The goals of this great organization are trust, trade, tourism, technology transfer, twin cities, treasury, and training.

The organization is partnering RAIN Foundations to host the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 in twenty-five countries this year, as well as the Global Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending