Musicians fight TB

A group of musicians, in partnership with Rhythms of African Music Foundation (RAMF), a non-governmental organization, has decided to organize series of musical concerts in the country to educate Ghanaians about the dangers of Tuberculosis (TB).

This was made known by the president of the foundation, Mr George William Dickson, at a one day awareness creation campaign on the dangers of TB and its remedies, at Enyan Abaasa in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of the Central Region.

According to him, music is one of the most effective mediums to transmit information to the people and it was appropriate for certain musicians to come together to support the Government to fight against diseases.

The campaign was also aimed at raising funds to support vulnerable children in the district. The programme which was under the theme “Stop TB; The Most Infectious Form of Disease” was organized by RAMF.

Mr. Dickson mentioned that prominent personalities like Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu had both been TB patients before but managed to sail through because they did not toy with DOT.

Miss Elizabeth Amoakosa, public relations officer of the organization, said AIDS and Malaria had set the pace in terms of publicity, but TB was yet to be understood by majority of Ghanaians, especially the rural folks. The campaign, according to her, would continue in all the 10 regions of Ghana.

In his address, the District Chief Executive, Mr. Kenneth Kwaning Obempong announced that in the year 2005 alone the number of Ghanaians found to have been affected by TB was more than 12,000.

The DCE said TB was on the increase partly due to the high incidence of HIV/AIDS, which according to experts, made it easy for one to get TB, which was why those diseases had been nicknamed the deadly duo.

He therefore advised all Ghanaians, particularly those in his district to be wary of TB because it is one disease that is threatening the Ghanaian society and must therefore be met with all resistance.

Nana Appian IV, Kyidomhene of Enyan Abaasa and acting president of the Enyan Abaasa Traditional Area, commended the members and as well urged Ghanaian musicians to join hands with RAMF to support the Government to eradicate TB, Maternal and Infant Mortality as well as HIV/AIDS from Ghana.