An article from February 2009 featured in myjoyonline.com describes recent efforts in Ghana regarding HIV/AIDS, including efforts by the government to coordinate programs between state and district governments as well as NGOs responding to the need for services throughout Ghana. The article also reports on a study conducted in late 2008 targeting lack of education about HIV/AIDS in Ghana. The report:
“recommended further education of the youth on prevention and stigma reduction particularly, promoting lifestyle changes, undertaking effective educational materials development and dissemination.”
While the plateau of HIV/AIDS in Ghana (at around 2%) is encouraging, there is still work to be done to educate younger Ghanaians. The challenge is to educate in such a way as to change behavior. For more on this study and the outcomes, you can read the article here.
As we begin to develop our plans for an HIV/AIDS treatment and education program with the Bethel Clinic in Akatsi, it is vital that we incorporate our program within the national framework. Fragmented efforts diminish the potential progress in all kinds of efforts, including the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will place an emphasis on working with local, and if possible, national officials to incorporate our program within the national HIV/AIDS effort.
