CHRISTIAN COUNCIL SENSITIZE RELIGIOUS BODIES ON AIDS

The Christian Council of Ghana has organized a day forum in precedence of this years World AIDS Day celebration for religious bodies in Accra. The forum was themed "Religious leadership, reducing stigma and discrimination. At the forum the RT.Rev.Dr.Yaw frimpong Manso said it was necessary as religious bodies to go out to teach and educate the need for people to fraternize with People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).This will help create them believe that they have people to rely on and will be open to share their problems. He urged participants to live healthy life styles by not indulging in actions of promiscuity. The Director General of Ghana AIDS Commission Prof. S.A Amoa said the theme for this years World AIDS Day celebration is very appropriate because there is the great need for leadership at all levels to address issues including stigma and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination occur because of lack of knowledge, fear, sin and arrogance therefore these can be through education and it was gratifying to note that churches today recognize the important role expected of them in fighting against the epidemic. Various groups in the church can help by counseling people to change their negative attitudes and improve care and support of PLWHAs. He added that the publication of various policies by churches, the religious bodies should be seen as champions of the national HIV/AIDS campaign and exercises the required leadership. "The church needs to demonstrate in clear terms that the message of being your brothers keepers is not only talked about but practiced".Outlinig some progress of the commission he said HIV and AIDS continue to pose significant challenge to the economic development of Africa that is Africa about 70% of the virus burden. Comparing to Ghana he said the national prevalence rate was now 1.9%. The use of condom has also increase from 28% to 33% in women and from 44% to 52% in men .110 sites have also been establish to offer anti-retroviral treatments and 18,000 people living with HIV are on anti –retroviral drugs. Prof. Amoa called on the churches to support the various activities of the commission and also commended the Christian Council of Ghana for organizing the forum. December 2008 is slated for the World AIDS Day Celebration.