HIV victim divorced by wife

Sampa (B/A) June 19, GNA - A 45-year old man who tested HIV positive has been divorced by his wife at Sampa, the capital of Jaman North District in Brong Ahafo.

The man (name withheld) is a businessman and has been married to the wife for eight years with one child.

Mr. Augustine Pepreh, district focal person on HIV/AIDS disclosed this in an interview with the GNA at Sampa.

He expressed worry on the issue, saying it had the potential of undermining efforts at encouraging people to know their HIV status through Voluntary Testing and Counselling.

"All the same, we are not deterred at all. We will continue to educate people in the district to know their HIV status and the dangers associated with discrimination against people infected and affected with the HIV virus", he said.

Meanwhile, the Association of the Patriots, a group of people living with the pandemic who are provided with anti-retroviral therapy by the Ghana AIDS Commission, is supporting the victim. Mr. Pepreh said the Ghana AIDS Commission had approved a proposal by the association to engage members in alternative livelihood activities to support them financially. The Jaman North district is at the Ghana/Cote d'Ivoire border and has HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 5.2 percent.