Savelugu: The Northern Regional Committee of the Ghana AIDS Commission has held a durbar to interact with the Paramount Chief of Yoo Traditional Area and his elders in the Savelugu Municipality on HIV and AIDS. It was to seek their support to increase awareness on the disease and help reduce cases of stigma amongst persons living with the disease in the area.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was themed 'Take the Right Path: Ending AIDS Together, Stepping up Prevention Efforts', and formed part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day. During the durbar, some residents were screened and tested to know their HIV status.
Mr. Nuhu Musah, Northern Regional Manager of the Ghana AIDS Commission, speaking during the durbar at Savelugu, said it was to increase the understanding of chiefs and traditional authorities on the issues of HIV to enable them to champion the campaign against the spread of the disease in their areas. He emphasized the need to promote, and advocate for equitable access to treatment and care and to help combat stigma and discrimination.
Mr. Musah called on the media to intensify advocacy and awareness on the disease, appealing to the traditional authorities to support the Commission's efforts to tackle the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the country. Yoo-Naa Abdulai Andani (V), Paramount Chief of Yoo Traditional Area, assured the Committee of his commitment to supporting efforts towards reducing the spread of the disease. He urged the people of Dagbon and Ghana at large not to stigmatize or discriminate against people living with HIV, stating that they take HIV medication like blood pressure medicine and are just like everyone else.
Mr. Sule Sulemana, Northern Regional Chairman of People Living with HIV, highlighted that issues of stigma and discrimination affected victims more than the disease itself and urged all to desist from such acts. He shared his personal experience, stating, 'I have been affected by HIV for the past 23 years but through medication, I'm living a healthy life.'