Workers of TOPP assists people living with HIV/AIDS

Twifo Ntafrewaso (C/R), Jan. 7, GNA- The Management of Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) Limited on Friday presented a cheque of GH=A21,000 to the Ebenezer Foundation, an association, which assists People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Twifo Praso township.

The amount was raised by employees of TOPP through a fundraising walk they undertook as part of activities marking the celebration of this years World HIV/AIDS Day under the theme: "Who Are You To Judge". Mr Emmanuel Ahiable, Estate Manager of TOPP presented the cheque to Ms Adelaide Dapaah, leader of the Foundation.

In an address, Mr Neneyo Mate-Kole, Managing Director of TOPP expressed the hope that the donation would go a long way to "make life a bit more bearable for people infected with the disease". He disclosed that the company in October last year, launched its work place HIV compassion project with funding from the Ghana AIDS Commission to fight stigmatisation and discrimination against PLWHA at work places. The Managing Director said during the year TOPP carried out a number of activities aimed at educating and creating awareness on HIV/AIDS. He said Family Health International, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) involved in HIV prevention, treatment, support and care offered refresher-training courses for TOPP's HIV/AIDS Counsellors. The course focused on Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the disease. Mr Mate-Kole said they trained two laboratory personnel in VCT and HIV anti-body testing.

The collaborative effort, he said, led to the successful organization of mobile VCT campaigns in seven communities around its operational area. He said the exercise led to the testing of 1,222 people out of which 29 proved positive, which he said, management promised to counsel them to lead normal lives. 7 Jan. 08

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