Ignore claims of traditional healers to cure AIDS

Aflao, Dec 20, GNA - Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, on Friday advised people in the area to ignore claims by some traditional healers that they have cures for HIV/AIDS. He warned that they would have themselves to blame if they lead reckless sexual lives with the hope of being cured by these healers. Togbe Fiti gave the advise at an HIV/AIDS Awareness Forum organised by the Ketu District Council of Queen Mothers, at Aflao.

The Queen Mothers, earlier paraded through the principal streets of Aflao clad in mourning clothes and headgears with placards counselling people against the disease and asking for support for those living with the disease.

Aflao and its environs have an HIV/AIDS prevalent rate of 3.5 per cent. Referring in particular to the numerous advertisements on radio and television of claims of cure in neighbouring Togo, Togbe Fiti said, "These claims are not true, they are deceiving you".

He called on the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) to channel part of its funds to traditional rulers, particularly those in communities along the borders to fight the disease.

Togbe Fiti said Traditional rulers were better placed in reaching out to the people.

Dr Michael Ahedor, Ketu District Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said everyone was a potential HIV/AIDS patient especially those who could not control their sexual activities. He said the district recorded 300 cases of the disease in 2002 alone from just four cases in 1993.

Mr Divine Ayidzoe, Ketu District Co-ordinating Director (DCD), said currently there were only three NGOs and a few CBOs undertaking anti-HIV/AIDS programmes in the district.

He asked traditional rulers, NGOs and CBOs to apply for funding next year to increase coverage in the fight to check the spread of the disease.

Mama Ayaba II, Queen Mother of the Hedranawo, who is also the acting President of the Ketu Council of Queen Mothers, advised against prostitution and other forms of reckless sexual lifestyles as a check against the spread of the disease.

Some Queen Mothers and participants wept when two women identified as Mary and Stella who are living with the disease, spoke about how they contracted it.