First Lady, H.E. Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, was in Sunyani on Thursday to organise a community health screening exercise in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission.
It was the second in the series of such collaborations, the first being in Accra.
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In an address before the start of the screening exercise, Mrs Mahama used the opportunity to encourage traditional and religious leaders to leverage their revered positions to foster healthy, responsible behaviour within their communities.
The First Lady noted that Ghana remains committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, a goal she said is achievable if every individual plays their part.
“Parents must engage in open and honest conversations with their children about health and sexuality,” she noted, urging teachers to also guide students with care, wisdom, and accurate information to help eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV.
Currently, over 334,000 Ghanaians are living with HIV, and the Bono Region remains one of the most affected areas. This, she said, is a serious concern, and called for education, prevention, and early testing to turn the tide against infections.
According to the First Lady, who is also the President of the Lordina Foundation, health is the foundation upon which development is built. She stated that without good health, productivity suffers and affects the building of vibrant communities.
Mrs Mahama highlighted the importance of health screening programmes.
“I love bringing health services closer to people because when we invest in health, we invest in our collective future,” she said.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Budu II, Dormaahene and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, expressed concern over the rising Ghanaians with HIV cases in the Bono Region in recent years, particularly affecting people aged 25 to 40.
He stated that the screening programme is a crucial health campaign rather than a political exercise, encouraging all attendees to take advantage of testing and educational resources.
Sister Diana, who has been living with HIV since 1989, shared her experience battling stigma due to limited awareness. She emphasised that with proper care and monitoring, people living with HIV can lead healthy lives.
“My children’s support gave me strength,” she said, “and motivated me to educate others as an ambassador for HIV awareness.”
