HIV/AIDS Compassion Flame arrives in Upper East

Bolgatanga, Nov. 21, GNA- The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mahami Salifu on Wednesday stressed the need to redirect national efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He said the public should be encouraged to give compassion and respect to people living with the disease.

"Little has been done to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with people living with HIV/AIDS", he said, noting that it will do society no good if the discrimination continues.

Mr. Salifu was speaking at a durbar organised in Bolgatanga to receive the HIV/AIDS Compassion Flame, which arrived in the Upper East Region on Wednesday afternoon from the Northern Region.

The ceremony formed part of activities planned to mark this year's World AIDS day celebration, which falls on December 1.

He called on chiefs and people of the region to support educational campaigns and other activities aimed at changing those cultural practices that predispose people to the disease.

A representative of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), Mr. Pelmac Atiase, said the Flame, which is being taken round the country, is a symbol of hope to rekindle the individual and collective spirit of Ghanaians towards the eradication of the disease.

Mr Amin Osman, a 30-year-old shoemaker and a cyclist from the Northern Region later presented the flame to the Regional Minister, who also gave it to a 35-year-old farmer, Mr Moses Akanyisige, who would in turn carry the torch to the Upper West Region.

Present was the special assistant to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Allou, the Municipal Chief Executives for Bolgatanga and Bawku East, Mr. Rockson Bukari and Mr Abdulrahman Gumah respectively, the Bawku West District Chief Executive, Mr. Moses Appiah, the Upper East Regional Director of Education, Mr. Ken Dabuo, some traditional rulers and school children.