It has been another successful year for the celebration of the WORLD AIDS DAY. The Municipal AIDS committee in collaboration with the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly celebrated this year’s world AIDS day at Sefwi Bekwai on Wednesday 1st December 2021 with the theme ENDING INEQUALITIES, END AIDS, END EPIDEMICS.
Student and invited guest recognized the need to celebrate Aids Day and the measures to put in place to avoid being infected with the AIDS virus. The event which involved people from fourteen years (14) upwards started around 10; 30am. Matured student with teachers, invited guests and the good people of sefwi Bekwai embarks on a float with brass band through the principal street of Bekwai with banners in their hands creating awareness for people to join in the celebration.
Mr. sheriff K Duah, the PRO for GES, a representative on the Municipal AIDS committee in addressing the people expressed joy as the AIDS day is always celebrated and this year wasn’t left out. He made it known that HIV/AIDS has been with us since March 1986 and is still with us beside the fact that there is a new worldwide pandemic (COVID-19). He underscored the fact that ending AIDS is a holistic developmental approach. He also emphasized that ending AIDS is a shared responsibility.
Mr. Percy Ayamga, the Deputy Coordinating Director for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai municipal Assembly representing the MCE, in his speech said he has observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the attention of health workers and the citizenry with many people forgetting about the existence of HIV.
He described the situation as “threatening” and charged stakeholders to sustain the campaign against HIV and AIDS to achieve set targets.
Mr Ayamga said this when the Municipal Assembly, with support from the Ghana AIDS Commission, organised free HIV and AIDS screening for residents and school children above age fourteen to mark this year’s Worlds AIDS Day.This year’s celebration is to create awareness, educate the public and encourage people to check their HIV status.
‘’Today, as we mark the celebrations throughout the country, it is necessary that we all remind ourselves that HIV and AIDS is still around us…’’ he said.
Mr Ayamga expressed the Assembly’s commitment to rein the spread and control the generality of the disease in the municipal area-central business district-and called for support of traditional and religious leaders.
He reiterated the call on the public to desist from stigmatizing people living with the disease, adding that the trauma could make people end up in the streets.
Mr Ayamga urged society to show love and support people living with HIV and AIDs, stressing that the disease was not a death sentence.
He urged people living with the disease to take their medication religiously.
Nana Kofi Taah Dwantoahene of sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area and chairman for the program made the people know the need to understand acquiring HIV is not a death sentence, and that AIDS can be overcome by working together. He further expresses that everyone’s commitment to join forces with Ghana Health Service, the AIDS commission and other stakeholders in fighting AIDS.
As we have adhered to COVID-19 protocols lets do same for HIV/AIDS he said
The program was graced with some dignitaries such as; Nana Marfo Paeyi Adontenhene of sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area, country Director for GHEI Mr. Clement Donkor, Program Coordinator for GHEI Mr. Enock Nkrumah, H.O.D for Social Welfare and Community Development (BABMA) Mr. Ellis Mensah, all members of the Municipal AIDS Committee, some staff of the Municipal Assembly, Teachers and many more.
On a whole the program was well attended.