Don’t deny HIV patients jobs, school admission — AIDS Commission

Describing the practice as shameful and regrettable, he said it amounted to discrimination and stigmatisation, which the GAC had constantly been fighting against, adding that HIV was not a disability that prevented people from working in any environment. He said stigmatisation and discrimination had no place in a nation that prided itself on compassion and dignity, pointing out that ending that practice was a responsibility all must share. AIDS Partnership Forum Mr Essamuah said this at the 15th National HIV and AIDS Partnership Forum organised by the GAC yesterday. The partnership forum is the Commission’s principal platform for coordination and mutual accountability. Its purpose is threefold — to take stock of progress against national targets, report back on what was agreed on at the last forum, and to agree together on priority actions for the year ahead.

This year’s forum, which coincided with 40 years of Ghana’s HIV response, was on the theme: “40 years of HIV Response in Ghana: Celebrating Partnerships, Transforming Lives, Sustaining the Future. ” The forum was attended by communities in the HIV response, development partners, faith-based organisations, academia and representatives of Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA). Touching on the 40-year HIV journey in Ghana, Mr Essamuah said when the disease first arrived in the country four decades ago, it was surrounded by fear, silence and very few options. However, today, he said, the story was different as People Living With HIV (PLWHIV) could access life-saving treatment, raise families, build careers and contribute fully to national development. Transformation “That transformation did not happen by chance. It is the result of political will, the courage of PLWHIV, the dedication of health workers and communities, and…