Globally, Human Immunodeficiency Virus “HIV” stigma and discrimination has affected the emotional well-being and mental health of people living with HIV. People living with HIV often internalize the stigma they experience and begin to develop a negative self-image. They may fear they will be discriminated against or judged negatively if their HIV status is revealed.

However, the Ghanaian populace have been urged to show support to Persons Living with HIV as the disease is real and also join in the Fight against the Spread of HIV.

The call to show support to PLHIV resurfaced during yesterday’s WORLD AIDS DAY observance to give people around the globe, the opportunity to unite in response to the HIV and AIDS and assess efforts managing and controlling the epidemic.

It was also a day to remember those who have died from AIDS-related causes and to raise Public about HIV and work towards elimination.

In Western Region, the Ghana AIDS Commission together with stakeholders and the media observed the 2021 WORLD AIDS DAY celebration yesterday, at the residence of the western regional minister in Sekondi.

The theme for this year’s World Aids Day celebration was “End Inequalities, End Aids, End Pandemic.

The Western Regional Dean of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives who doubles as the Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly, Hon. Kojo Acquah on behalf of the western regional minister said, the theme for 2021 WORLD AIDS DAY celebration reminds all the urgent needs to tackle undenied social wrongs that hamper the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

He indicated that as the people of the western region joined the rest of the world called upon all individual, including the media to support government’s in strengthening collaboration in pursuit with joint effort ending AIDS by 2030.

Mr. Acquah, the representative of the Western Regional Minister, continued that, the 2020 National and Subnational HIV and AIDS estimated a projection report pushed the HIV and AIDS prevalence in the region at 1.7% as original against National average of 1.68%.

According to the Municipal Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly “Great EKMA”, to reduce new HIV infections it is important that they work together to create the necessary awareness and educate the public on the modes of HIV transmission as well as precaution that can be taken to avoid getting infected.

“With support from the media, we can reach almost everyone with the basic preventive HIV messages, we need not to leave anyone behind because no one is safe until everyone is safe”, he added.

He confirmed that western region is ranked among top 5 regions with the highest new Human Immunodeficiency Virus “HIV”.

Moreover, at the end of 2020 it was estimated that 25,620 persons lived with HIV in the Western Region with 1,255 newly infected persons.

Furthermore, Mr. Kojo Acquah stated under the leadership of Hon. Kobby Otchere Darko-Mensah, is committed at addressing the obstacles that slows down the progress of ending the AIDS epidemics.

He said stigma discourage Persons Living with HIV to access treatment and therefore urged the general public to end stigmatization among Persons Living With.

Speaking to Vision1 Fm correspondent Benjamin Bray, the Technical Coordinator for Ghana Aids Commission in western region, Francis Antonio, said the objectives of the observance of the WORLD AIDS DAY was to create awareness and prevent new HIV infections, reduce stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and other vulnerable groups.

Again, it was also to prevent Mother-to Child transmission of HIV transmission, mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on those infected and affected.

Mr. Francis Antonio hinted that, the western regional Ghana Aids Commission has outlined strategies and interventions accelerate progress to end AIDS by 2030 where people would be able to access HIV first response kits and also get screened to know their HIV status at their own convenient and privacy.

The Western Regional Ghana Aids Commission realizing default in medication, and as part of their activities, has instituted a trace to reach out to Persons Living with HIV to bring them back to care.

He added that, the public should adhere to protect themselves and also ensure that HIV preventive measures including HIV self-testing, differentiated Service Delivery, Pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP) among other.

Story By: Benjamin Bray, Vision1 Fm.