Easter: Ghana AIDS Commission to supply free condoms in Kwahu

The Ghana AIDS Commission is advising Easter revelers in Kwahu to use condoms to protect themselves during sexual activities, as Kwahu has been identified as a hotspot for HIV transmission. The Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh stated that free condoms and HIV testing will be provided to help reduce the spread of the virus during the Easter festival. The Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, offers services and support to visitors in Kwahu, including counseling, testing, and condom distribution. Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh emphasized the importance of protection to prevent the transmission of HIV and other diseases during the festive season.

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The Ghana AIDS commission has advised revelers celebrating the Easter in Kwahu to protect themselves with condoms if they decide to engage in sexual related activities.

This reminder is part of a broader campaign to reduce the spread of HIV as Kwahu has been identified as a hot spot for HIV spread.

The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh says as part of its efforts to curb the spread of HIV, free condoms will be distributed and free HIV testing will be offered for anyone interested.

“Events such as the Kwahu Easter festival is a hot spot for HIV transmission and so the commission collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism and we have since been running HIV programmes since Kwahu Easter every year.

According to the Director-General, the Commission together with the Tourism Ministry offers services and support to people who travel to Kwahu for the Easter celebrations.

“So every year, we set up screening and condom distribution centres in all the three districts within the Kwahu enclave, and at these centres we provide counselling and testing for HIV and other diseases and we also give out free condoms so that those who have romance on their minds should also think of protection,” he said.

2022 Ghana’s HIV Estimates Report: 46,764 tested positive

HIV Estimates Report by Ghana AIDS Commission shows 46,764 people tested positive in 2022 with 354,927 HIV population.

According to 2022 HIV Estimates fact sheet by the Ghana AIDS Commission, a total number of Female Sex Workers reached with HIV prevention interventions stood at 65,379.

Total number of Men who have Sex with Men reached with HIV prevention interventions was 52,140. Total number of people who received HIV Testing Services and who received results stood at 1,971,381 with 404,105 males and 1,567,276 females. The report also shows 46,764 tested positive. Out of this, 13,126 were males and 33,638 were females.

According to HIV Estimates Report, 35,209,782 number of condoms were distributed including 35,184,689 male condoms and 25,093 female condoms. The stigma index among people living with HIV who were verbally abuse stood at 5.2%.
With reference to the HIV Prevalence, Female Sex Workers stood at 4.6% in 2019, Men who have Sex with Men stood at 18.1% in 2017 and Prison Inmates stood at 1.8% in 2019.

Read the full report :

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