Journalists participate in VCT on their HIV status

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA - Some members of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Tuesday took a bold decision to participate in a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV, at the Ghana International Press Centre (GIPC) in Accra. It was organised by the National Executive Committee of the GJA in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission as part of a year-long project on the theme: "Using the Media to Create Greater Awareness on HIV and AIDS". The project is to sensitise the media to pursue qualitative journalism, evaluate their performance in awareness creation on the pandemic and improve their technical knowledge and coverage on HIV/AIDS. Mr Bright Blewu, General Secretary of GJA, urged journalists to endeavour to know their status "because it will help you to plan your life". Mr Affail Monney, Vice President of GJA, said the project was part of journalists' role in the fight against the pandemic. "This is our commitment in ensuring the reduction of HIV/AIDS in the society".

Mrs Etta Forson Addo, Head of Counsel Care and Support Union of National AIDS Control Programme, said such activities were geared towards reducing the current prevalence rate of 1.7 per cent to zero which could not be achieved without the people knowing their status. Madam Margaret Owoo, a Peer Educator, advised people to protect themselves during casual sex. About 45 journalists have so far tested their status during the programme.