AIDS Commission hints of dragging employers before court

The Ghana Aids Commission is set to take legal actions against employers and persons who discriminate against Persons Living with HIV/AIDS.

The commission has expressed worry over what it says is the widespread discrimination against persons living with the virus and is, therefore, instituting an action to curtail this menace.

The Commission in 2018 reported that HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in the country is creeping up gradually, a situation it said calls for concern.

While admitting that the preventive education had not been done effectively, stigmatization has been noted as a factor militating against the fight against the disease.

A legal consultant to the commission Victor Brobbey at a media engagement in Cape Coast revealed that the commission has resolved to take legal actions against persons who discriminate against PLWHA’s as such actions constitute an abuse of their fundamental human rights.

According to him, carriers of the virus suffer various forms of discrimination in many areas including employment and education.

While making references to constitutional provisions and Acts that protect the rights of citizens, Mr. Brobbey noted that the protection of the rights of PLWHA’s still needs a frantic effort.

He reiterated the GAC commitment to fight for the rights of such persons saying “an employee who has suffered discrimination by a co-worker or employee may institute legal action against the co-worker or employee”.

On his part, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Aids Commission Kyeremeh Atuahene urged the media to use their platforms to educate People Living with HIV to comply religiously with their anti-retroviral medications.