AIDS Commission slams prayer camp operators over new HIV infections

The Eastern Regional office of Ghana AIDS Commission is accusing Prayer Camps and Healing Centers for the new HIV infections recorded in the region last year.

The national average of HIV prevalence is 1.8, however the Eastern Region’s prevalence was 2.6 creating bleak outlook for the region.

At a recent dissemination forum organized by the Regional AIDS Committee (RAC) under the umbrella of the Technical Support Unit (TSU) of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) on the findings, Ms Golda Asante, the Regional AIDS Coordinator, said that the team visited 85 prayer camps in 18 out of the 26 districts in the region and discovered that some of the prayer camps were accommodating TB patients and were sharing congested rooms with others because they had been indoctrinated that HIV and AIDS were spiritual diseases and that only prayers and fasting could cure them.

The situation has become a great concern to some men of God in the region.

The Head Pastor of Omega House Chapel of the Assemblies of God Church – Ghana, Prophet Albert Asihene Arjarquah speaking to the Ghone News at the 31st All -Night Service held in collaboration with Prophet Albert Asihene -Arjarquah Ministries (PAAM) at Koforidua Jackson park, urged Men of God operating prayer camps not admit the sick particularly persons with HIV/AIDS in default of seeking medical treatment.

According to him, majority of sicknesses has nothing to do with spirituality hence patients must be made to understand that while praying for recovery, it is imperative to sick treatment and take their medication as prescribed by doctors

He urged Ghanaians to pray for the president to carry out his four year mandate for the progress of the country.