BA Regional AIDS Committee inaugurated

Mr. Yaw Adjei-Duffuor, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Friday inaugurated a 26-member Regional HIV/AIDS Committee in Sunyani.

Speaking at the ceremony, he called for the support of all, in the crusade to stem the spread of the pandemic since all categories of people were at risk.

The Committee with members from the Ministries, organisations, associations, religious groups, traditional healers association, chiefs, security agencies and the media, would monitor community HIV/ AIDS activities, lobby for resources and advocate for policies to address local challenges.

It would also ensure communication and knowledge transfer at the local, district, regional and national levels as well as facilitate development of capacity to deal with the disease.

He noted that there was a strong political will and commitment on the part of the government and called for a multi-sectoral approach to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Mr Adjei-Duffuor stated that the national response in dealing with the disease had been decentralized hence the formation of district and regional committees.

He said that the decentralisation was to ensure community participation and the active involvement of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC), District Assemblies and individuals in HIV/ AIDS programmes.

The Deputy Regional Minister urged members to arm themselves with information on the pandemic to enable them offer the needed support.

He said, "the committee's work is more than pastoral work since you are to save lives and souls that are perishing in your region and the country as a whole".

The Deputy Regional Minister pointed out that the disease was not curable and entreated the members to use funds allocated for the committee's programmes judiciously.

Mr Sintim Ofosuhene, Regional Planning Officer, on behalf of the committee expressed regret about the rate of spread in the region and pledged to determination of the committee to work assiduously to ensure its total elimination.

He called for support to enable the Committee to discharge its duties.